DESPITE global efforts to improve vaccination coverage, the number of zero-dose and under-immunised children has increased in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, which has over 2.1 million unvaccinated (zero-dose) children, the highest in the continent.

IN 2023, a staggering 14.5 million children, mostly in lower and middle-income countries, did not receive a single routine childhood vaccine. This is an increase from 13.9 million in 2022.

VACCINATING children is one of the most effective ways to safeguard their health and contribute to the wellbeing of the entire community.Vaccination is a critical and cost-effective public health intervention that has emerged as the indisputable cornerstone of global public health, effectively reducing morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases.

OVER  four million deaths annually have been prevented through the careful implementation of childhood immunisation programmes around the world. In recognition of the importance of childhood vaccines in public health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) established the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in 1974 to ensure that all children have access to four recommended vaccines. This, alongside other vaccines and doses, constitutes the routine immunisation programme. Through immunisation, the world has made significant progress in successfully reducing childhood diseases, especially under-five deaths, from 12.6 million in 1990 to 5.4 million in 2017.

NIGERIA is home to an estimated 2.1 million of these zero-dose children, making it the largest population of unvaccinated children in Africa. In 2023, a staggering 14.5 million children globally, mostly in lower and middle-income countries, did not receive a single routine childhood vaccine. These unvaccinated children are particularly vulnerable to preventable diseases.

VACCINATION rates in northern Nigeria are some of the lowest in the world. According to the 2003 National Immunisation Schedule, the percentage of fully immunised infants in the targeted states was less than one percent in Jigawa, 1.5 percent in Yobe, 1.6 percent in Zamfara, and 8.3 percent in Katsina. As a result, thousands of children fall victim to vaccine-preventable diseases.

THE reasons for this include misconceptions about routine immunisation, influence of religion, inadequate cold chain equipment,  shortages of vaccines and immunisation supplies, poverty, among others.

FOR a fact, Nigeria needs to enhance its vaccination system and coverage for a healthy society. Hence, The Hope calls on local leaders and organisations to assist in building trust and combating misinformation regarding vaccination. Government at all levels should embrace collaboration with religious leaders for vaccination acceptability.

HEALTH providers must be empowered to sensitise communities promptly and also leverage on the influence of religious leaders as an important final step in reducing the number of zero-dose children.

TO improve vaccination rates among Nigerian children, The Hope urges the government to focus on strengthening the health system, engaging communities, addressing vaccine hesitancy, and ensuring equitable access through mobile clinics, reminders, and data-driven interventions.