Health stakeholders call for swift vaccine funding to address shortfall

Stakeholders in the in health sector have called on the federal government to establish a sustainable immunization financing framework to address vaccine shortfall in Primary Health Care Centers, PHCs, across Nigeria.

At a media briefing to mark World Health Day, the Executive Director of the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC), Chika Offor commended President Bola Tinubu for the 2025 budget’s allocation of N231.7 billion for immunization, malaria vaccination, and vaccine tracking, which she said was a mile stone achievement for Nigeria.

She however expressed worry that Nigeria’s vaccine financing was now more vulnerable due the withdrawal of USAID funding and shrinking fiscal space which pose serious risks to the sustainability of these efforts.

“Since December 2023, the fate of vaccine financing in Nigeria has been uncertain. Despite continuous advocacy through the Partnership to Reach Zero-Dose Children (PREACH) initiative, the 2022 and 2023 vaccine funds remained unreleased.

“But, there was a breakthrough in December 2024. The Federal Government released the outstanding funds and allocated 25 percent of the 2024 vaccine budget.

Despite major strides, including a 71% HPV vaccine coverage and protection of over 30 million children, Nigeria still has one of the highest numbers of “zero-dose”, children who have never received a routine vaccine.” She said

The newly appointed Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, emphasized the importance of investing in immunization and called for the prompt release of vaccine funds as well as local production of essential vaccines to strengthen the nation’s healthcare system.

“This commitment will help to protect the health and well-being of our younger population, which is our largest and most valuable asset.”

On his part, the Technical Assistant to the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Yahaya Oloriegbe identified the administration’s key agenda on vaccine financing to include availability of vaccines, proper storage maintenance and efficient vaccine distribution.