Lagos State says it has strengthened its immunisation system by dedicating about five per cent of its health budget, directly and indirectly, to vaccine-related activities, as it intensifies efforts to reduce the number of “zero-dose” children in the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustafa, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during activities marking World Immunisation Week.
He explained that immunisation funding in the state is drawn from a combination of federal vaccine supplies and state investment, particularly in logistics, cold chain infrastructure, and service delivery systems.
According to him, support also comes from development partners such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, AFENET, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
“The state now commits a lot of resources to ensure that these vaccines get to the arms of the children,” he said.
“The Lagos State Government is one of the governments in the federation that is committing a lot to assist vaccination efforts.”
Mustafa noted that Lagos has achieved about 66 per cent routine immunisation coverage, describing it as a moderate success given its population size and constant inflow of residents from other states.
However, he warned that challenges such as vaccine hesitancy, migration, and the growing population of unvaccinated children continue to affect progress.
He explained that many new arrivals in Lagos come without completing or even starting their vaccination schedules.
“Many families arriving in Lagos, the country’s commercial hub, do so with children who have not completed or even started their vaccination schedules.
“That contributes significantly to the gaps we are seeing.”
Health experts describe a zero-dose child as an infant who has not received any routine vaccines, particularly missing the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP1) vaccine.
Nigeria currently has one of the highest numbers of zero-dose children globally, estimated at about 2.1 million in 2023, with the majority concentrated in the north-west and north-east regions.
While rural areas account for large numbers overall, Lagos State still records significant figures.
Alimosho Local Government Area alone reportedly has over 35,000 zero-dose children, the highest for any LGA in the country.
Mustafa estimated that Lagos may have between 120,000 and 130,000 zero-dose children, particularly in hard-to-reach communities such as Makoko, parts of Alimosho, and Ikorodu.
He warned that the situation could weaken herd immunity and increase the risk of outbreaks of diseases that were previously under control.
“If you have many zero-dose children, herd immunity drops, and that can lead to the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases,” he said.
Despite the concerns, he maintained that Lagos remains one of the better-performing states in immunisation, adding that its relatively strong health system continues to attract migrants, which also increases pressure on services.
To close existing gaps, the state has expanded outreach programmes, emergency response vaccination drives, and targeted campaigns in underserved communities.
Health workers have also been deployed to identify and vaccinate children who previously missed immunisation.
Mustafa also highlighted progress in introducing newer vaccines, especially the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine aimed at preventing cervical cancer in girls aged nine to 14.
He recalled that the programme initially faced resistance due to misinformation and mistrust.
“At one point, vaccinators faced hostility, including physical attacks in parts of Ibeju-Lekki, prompting us to deploy security escorts.”
He said the government responded with an extensive awareness campaign involving religious leaders, traditional rulers, media platforms, and social media advocates.
Groups such as the Christian Association of Nigeria and Muslim leaders in Lagos were instrumental in building trust, alongside influencers like Aproko Doctor and actress Kate Henshaw.
According to him, the effort has yielded strong results, with over 1.5 million girls now vaccinated against HPV.
“We moved from very serious hesitancy to strong demand. Now, in many cases, people are asking for the vaccine themselves,” he said.
Mustafa also stressed that political support has played a key role in strengthening immunisation programmes, citing backing from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other top officials in the rollout of vaccines such as measles-rubella.
He said continued investment and collaboration remain essential as Lagos grapples with rapid population growth and immunisation gaps.
“We are not relenting. Our goal is to ensure that every child in Lagos, regardless of where they live, has access to life-saving vaccines.”
The World Health Organisation notes that vaccines remain one of the most effective public health interventions globally.
This year’s World Immunisation Week theme, “For every generation, vaccines work,” highlights the importance of sustaining immunisation efforts across all age groups.
NAN
