31% of Nigerian Children Not Receiving Essential Vaccinations, NDHS Report Reveals

A recent report from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2023-24 has revealed that 31% of Nigerian children aged 12-23 months are not receiving essential vaccinations, posing a serious challenge to Nigeria’s efforts to achieve universal immunization and reduce child mortality.

Falling Short on Immunization Coverage

The NDHS report underscores the importance of routine vaccinations in Nigeria’s immunization schedule. These vaccines include the BCG for tuberculosis, oral and inactivated polio vaccines, and the DPT-HepB-Hib combination, which protects against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, and hepatitis B. Other vital vaccines include the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) for pneumonia, rotavirus vaccine for diarrheal diseases, as well as vaccines for yellow fever, meningitis, and measles.

However, despite the availability of these vaccines, the report highlights a troubling gap in coverage. According to the NDHS data, only 39% of children aged 12-23 months have received full vaccination, leaving a large portion of the child population vulnerable to preventable diseases. The survey also revealed significant regional disparities, with Southeast Nigeria reporting the highest BCG coverage at 93.9%, while Northwest Nigeria lagged behind at 50.2%.

Urban areas generally had better immunization rates than rural areas, where logistical challenges and limited access to healthcare facilities continue to hinder progress. This urban-rural divide underscores the need for targeted strategies to improve vaccination access in underserved regions.

Low Uptake of New Vaccines

In an effort to combat diarrheal diseases, which are a leading cause of infant mortality, Nigeria introduced the rotavirus vaccine in 2022 across northern and southern states. However, uptake remains low, with only 18% of children receiving the third dose. This highlights the challenges in ensuring new vaccines reach the intended populations, particularly in areas where healthcare infrastructure is lacking.

Expert Reactions and Ongoing Efforts

The report has sparked concern among healthcare professionals. Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), expressed his concerns about the findings, stating that the agency is ramping up efforts to reach underserved communities by collaborating with state governments to enhance vaccination access.

Mrs. Chika Offor, Executive Director of the Vaccine Network for Disease Control, emphasized the importance of addressing vaccine hesitancy and increasing public awareness. She also called for more funding for the NPHCDA to achieve full vaccination coverage by 2030. Offor described the NDHS data as a “wake-up call” for the country to prioritize immunization.

Frontline health workers also highlighted the difficulties they face in reaching remote areas. Ms. Mariam Adu, a health worker in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), described the logistical hurdles they encounter: “Sometimes, the vaccines don’t arrive on schedule, and without proper transport, reaching distant families is difficult.” Adu believes that mobile clinics could be a solution to improving vaccination outreach, as mothers in rural areas are often willing to vaccinate their children when healthcare workers come directly to their communities.

Accessibility Challenges for Mothers

Mothers in Nigeria have also shared their struggles with accessing vaccines for their children. Mrs. Fatima Yusuf, a 28-year-old mother, explained the difficulties she faced when trying to get her child vaccinated. She walked over 40 kilometers to a health center, only to find that the vaccines were unavailable. “Many women in my village want to vaccinate their children, but it’s hard to get to the health center, and even when we do, sometimes the vaccines aren’t there,” she said.

Stories like Yusuf’s highlight the significant challenges that families in rural areas face in securing essential vaccinations, further contributing to the country’s low immunization coverage.

The Path Forward

The NDHS report underscores the urgent need for improved immunization strategies across Nigeria. With 31% of children aged 12-23 months missing out on critical vaccines, there is a pressing need for the government, healthcare agencies, and local communities to work together to close this gap. Key strategies include increasing funding for immunization programs, improving public education on the importance of vaccines, addressing logistical challenges, and expanding mobile vaccination clinics to reach remote areas.

Nigeria’s healthcare system must also focus on building trust within communities to combat vaccine hesitancy and ensure that mothers like Fatima Yusuf have reliable access to life-saving vaccinations for their children. Only by addressing these issues can Nigeria make significant progress towards achieving universal immunization and reducing child mortality by 2030.