The Issues with Routine Immunization in Nigeria

Routine Immunization in Nigeria
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Routine Immunization in Nigeria
Routine immunization is instrumental in the prevention of illnesses and deaths. According to Olurunsaiye and Degge (2016), immunization has been linked to the prevention of approximately 2-3 million annual deaths among children below the age of five globally. Also, immunization is a cost-effective, safe strategy for preventing illnesses and deaths. As such, there has been a widespread focus on increasing vaccination coverage around the world. Yet, in Nigeria, immunization coverage is among the lowest in the world. According to Olurunsaiye and Degge (2016), only 25% of children below two years receive full immunization. Galadima et al. (2021) indicate that in Nigeria, routine immunization coverage as of 2018 was 31%, making it one of the lowest in Africa. In addition, a lack of full immunization contributes to more than 20% of all deaths among children below the age of five years (Sato, 2020). There is a need to create strategies that will improve coverage, access, and utilization of vaccines in Nigeria to preserve more lives. As Sato (2020) indicates, some of the factors that influence access and utilization of vaccines in Nigeria include high vaccine stockout rates and skepticism among communities. This paper analyzes the issues with routine immunization in Nigeria by examining access and utilization, availability, data management, and funding, among other factors that affect immunization. It also describes health promotion and education strategies that community stakeholders can utilize to improve immunization in the Ugwunani Aku community, where there was an over 40% drop-out for pentavalent vaccines.
Routine Immunization in Nigeria
Strengthening routine immunization is paramount in the reduction of vaccine-preventable illnesses among Nigerians. However, Nigeria has one of the lowest immunization coverage in the world (Olurunsaiye & Degge, 2016). This has been attributed to a number of issues that influence routine immunization in Nigeria. These issues include access and utilization, vaccine availability, storage and potency, routine immunization data management, outbreaks, health workers’ attitude, government, and funding.
Access and Utilization
Access to and utilization of routine immunization is important in increasing immunization coverage in Nigeria. However, many mothers and their children, especially below the age of five, are unable to access or utilize routine immunization, which has contributed to the low immunization in the country. According to Umoke et al. (2021), one of the most significant factors that influence access and utilization is the distance to a healthcare facility. Most mothers and caregivers are unable to fully immunize children because of the long distance from their homes to healthcare facilities. In cases where mothers can easily reach a healthcare facility that offers immunization services, children can receive full immunization. Akwataghibe et al. (2019) indicate that those in hard-to-reach communities rarely get fully immunized because of long walking distances and difficult terrains that are difficult to navigat...