Vaccine Advocates Seek Full Release Of ₦231.7 billion Allocated For Immunization

As Nigeria accounts for approximately 30% of zero-dose children worldwide, causing high child mortality rates, stakeholders in the health sector and Vaccine Advocates have called for the release of the outstanding ₦108 billion for 2024 and ensuring the full release of the ₦231.7 billion allocated for 2025 Vaccine.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer, Vaccine Network for Disease Control, Mrs. Chika Offor, noted that delayed funding for immunization programs put millions of Nigerian children at risk of diphtheria, meningitis, vaccine stockouts, and other preventable crises.

Mrs. Offor pointed out that without consistent vaccine funding, over 1 million Nigerian children under five remain at risk of dying from diseases.

”We are here today because our future depends on it. We are here today to underscore a matter of utmost national and global importance: Prioritizing Immunization Financing for Child Survival, making a case for immunization.”

According to her. ”Immunization remains one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, preventing diseases, reducing mortality, and contributing to healthier communities and a stronger economy.”

Mrs. Chika Offor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering commitment to child health and child survival .

” Members of the National Assembly, for their continued support in championing domestic vaccine financing and oversight for effective utilization of immunization funds,  Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, for his visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s health agenda, prioritizing immunization, and for the MAMII strategy of the NPHCDA to strengthen Primary Health Care services across the country.”

”Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance, and Honorable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for their strategic fiscal decisions and open-door approach to dialogue. We commend the continuous increase in budgetary allocation to immunization since 2023 despite the current shrinking fiscal space. These actions are significant steps in the right direction.”she pleaded.

The Chief Executive Officer  confirmed that vaccines have saved millions of lives and remain central to achieving Nigeria’s health and development goals with Nigeria having made concerted efforts to reduce child mortality through vaccination programs carried out in all Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in the country.

The former Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Health Care Services, Alhaji Muhammad Usman appealed to policymakers to prioritize immunization programmes in the country.

“You only make prompt release if you prioritise, delays in releasing funds undermine the National Assembly’s efforts and could discourage future budget increases.’‘

“Even though the allocated sums are not enough, releasing the available funds would show seriousness and encourage lawmakers to allocate more in the 2026 and 2027 budget cycles,”

On his part, the Country Coordinator, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Prof. Emmanuel Alhassan said stakeholders have been engaging with the House of Representatives noted that strengthening domestic financing for immunization was essential to reducing dependence on donor funding and achieving sustainable, equitable health outcomes.