Lagos Allocates 5% of Health Budget to Immunization Efforts
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Lagos State spends approximately five percent of its health budget on immunization efforts, according to Ibrahim Mustafa, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board.
- The state has achieved a routine immunization coverage rate of about 66 percent, but faces challenges including population movement, vaccine hesitancy, and a significant number of "zero-dose" children.
- Lagos is home to an estimated 120,000 to 130,000 "zero-dose" children, primarily in informal settlements, posing a threat to herd immunity and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.
Lagos State is dedicating a significant portion of its health budget, around five percent, to bolstering immunization programs, a crucial effort in safeguarding public health. Ibrahim Mustafa, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, highlighted this commitment during World Immunization Week, emphasizing the state's investment in logistics, cold chain systems, and service delivery.
The state now commits a lot of resources to ensure that these vaccines get to the arms of the children.
While routine immunization coverage has reached approximately 66 percent, a figure considered strong within Nigeria, the state grapples with persistent challenges. Rapid population growth, fueled by migration, means many families arrive with children who have not completed their vaccination schedules. This influx contributes to a substantial number of "zero-dose" children—infants who have missed their initial vaccines.
The Lagos State Government is one of the governments in the federation that is committing a lot to assist vaccination efforts.
Mustafa expressed concern over the estimated 120,000 to 130,000 "zero-dose" children in Lagos, particularly those residing in informal and hard-to-reach communities. These unvaccinated children pose a serious risk to herd immunity, potentially leading to the resurgence of preventable diseases that have been largely controlled.
Many families arriving in Lagos, the country’s commercial hub, do so with children who have not completed or even started their vaccination schedules.
From Lagos's perspective, this is a complex public health challenge intertwined with rapid urbanization and migration. While international partners like WHO and UNICEF provide support, the state's own substantial investment underscores the local urgency. The focus on reaching these vulnerable populations in underserved areas is paramount to protecting the entire community, a task that requires continuous effort and resources amidst the city's dynamic growth.
If you have many zero-dose children, herd immunity drops, and that can lead to the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Premium Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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