Nigeria records high immunisation coverage

The 2018 report of the New Demographic Health Survey, (NDHS) has revealed that Nigeria recorded huge success in its Routine Immunization (RI), coverage in most states of the federation.

Program Manager, National Emergency Routine Immunization Coordination Centre (NERICC), Bassey Okposen disclosed this in his presentation at the expanded Integrated Comprehensive Care (ICC) meeting organized to review Immunization and Primary Health Care (PHC), performance in Abuja. 

According to him only Sokoto and Kebbi recorded no success in the immunization coverage. Okposen who stressed the need to increase focus on non-performing states and those with high numbers of unimmunized children, observed that penta 3 coverage in Nigeria fluctuated significantly, peaking at 57percent in 2018 in the last ten years. He noted that going by Nigeria’s Strategy for Immunization PHC System Strengthening (NSIPSS), Nigeria is projected to achieve a national average of 84percent penta 3 coverage by 2028 adding that in order to achieve the target, the federal government through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and partners are working audaciously to scale up and sustain impactful interventions to strengthen the immunization and PHC system.

Earlier, minister of health, Osagie Ehanire said that the engagement of traditional, religious and community leaders to drive demand for immunization and PHC services has yielded results, increased confidence and patronage as Nigeria has seen marginal increase from 4.5percent in 2018 to 5 percent in 2019.

The result of the 2018 smart survey and national demographic health survey was released this year. I am delighted to share with you that immunization coverage increased across the country for the first time in many years with some of the largest gains achieved in northern states. However, coverage is still unacceptably low in some states. We appeal for documented increase and positive change in coverage in those states. I’m pleased to say that all the funds budgeted for vaccine procurement in 2019 has been paid to the NPHCDA account and will be transferred to UNICEF shortly.  I assure of our commitment to meeting this obligation. I also assure you that this commitment has the support of the National Assembly as demonstrated by the full passage of our budget.”