Vaccines are, without question, the most effective public health intervention in history. Yet, they remain underappreciated. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccines prevent 4 to 5 million deaths annually. The measles vaccine alone is estimated to have prevented over 56 million deaths globally between 2000 and 2021. It is estimated that for every $1 spent on childhood immunisation, a return of $54 is achieved in economic benefits through reduced illness, lost productivity, and long-term health costs. That is a return no stock portfolio can match.

Immunisation is a global health success story, saving millions of lives annually. Immunisation remains one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, preventing 3–5 million deaths annually. Vaccines reduce the risk of getting a disease by working with your body’s natural defences to build protection. There are currently vaccines to prevent more than 30 life-threatening diseases and infections, such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), influenza, and measles, helping people of all ages live longer, healthier lives. 

In 2020, more than 12.4 million children in lower and middle-income countries received no vaccines. These vulnerable children, known as “zero-dose children,” account for a substantial portion of preventable child deaths. The Lancet’s 2024 Global Burden of Disease Study revealed that 50% of the world’s 15.7 million zero-dose children are concentrated in just eight countries, including Nigeria, India, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Indonesia, and Brazil.

Nigeria continues to face critical challenges, including vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, low coverage in rural communities, weak data accountability, and poor funding implementation. Nigeria also faces a particularly alarming situation among these countries, with over 2.2 million estimated zero-dose children in 2021. According to the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS), only about 31% of children in Nigeria receive full basic immunisation.

WHO’s National Immunisation Month presents a unique opportunity to raise public awareness, amplify trusted voices, and hold governments accountable for immunisation budget commitments. It is imperative to recognise the profound impact of immunisation, especially on growing children, and its ripple effect on their healthy lives. 

Vaccine in Nigeria

Nigeria has made significant progress in eradicating diseases through vaccines.

In 1988, Africa had over 75,000 cases of wild polio. In 2020, we were declared wild polio-free. Only 33 cases of wild polio were reported in 2018. Nigeria is Polio-Free Today Because of Vaccines. To sustain Nigeria’s significant progress in eradicating polio, it is critical to ensure no child is missed during vaccination efforts.

Vaccine Disinformation

The spread of misinformation and disinformation significantly threatens vaccine coverage rates. False claims and conspiracy theories about vaccines, amplified online, are undermining years of progress in immunisation. From measles to COVID-19, public trust is being eroded, and many of the gains made in reducing vaccine-preventable deaths are being reversed. It is therefore necessary to confirm and address vaccine claims.

Know Your Child’s Shield: The RI Schedule

Here is your guide to your baby’s first year of protection. All are available FREE at your PHC.

For Your Knowledge:

• The DUBAWA Chatbot tool verifies claims for audiences who want to learn more about specific fact-checks using key question prompts. You can verify your immunisation and vaccination claims with the DUBAWA ChatBot.
• Immunisation services are available in Nigeria’s public health centres, clinics, and hospitals. 
• Can you get these immunisations for free? Yes, immunisation is free at government health facilities across Nigeria. 

We must trust facts, not fear, and myths. The claim that vaccines cause autism or infertility is false. Vaccines do not contain harmful ingredients; they contain ingredients that allow them to be administered safely. It is extremely unlikely for a child to get a disease from a vaccine, as most are made from inactivated (killed) viruses. Protecting your child is free and requires a full schedule. You can get routine immunisations for your child for free at government health facilities across Nigeria.

One dose is a great start, but full protection comes from completing the schedule. Mark your child’s next appointment on your calendar now! #immunizenigeria #StayProtected Be a Vaccine Advocate! The simplest way to help is to remind a friend, sister, or neighbour about their child’s next vaccination date.