The National Primary Health Care Development Agency says 2.1 million children in Nigeria have never received any form of vaccination, a situation it warns poses a major challenge to reducing infant mortality.
Head of the Gavi Desk at NPHCDA, Dr. Bakunawa Bello, made the disclosure in Kaduna.
Recall that in 2022, an estimated 2.3 million Nigerian children were classified as zero-dose, meaning they had never been vaccinated.
While the number has dropped to 2.1 million, Bello noted that the figure remains high and can only be addressed through stronger health systems and improved routine immunisation.
During a visit to Government House, Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, pledged that the state will continue working closely with development partners to boost immunisation coverage and protect children from preventable diseases.
MUST READ: Tinubu Hails NAFDAC for Sustaining WHO Global Standard in Medicine, Vaccine Regulations
Jessica Crawford, Senior Country Manager for Gavi Nigeria, said the organisation will continue partnering with Nigerian states to strengthen routine immunisation and primary healthcare, with the goal of eliminating zero-dose cases nationwide.
The delegation’s visit forms part of ongoing efforts to improve primary healthcare delivery and ensure that no child in Nigeria is left without life-saving vaccines.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
