Paragraph 1: Nigeria’s Zero-Dose Burden
Nigeria carries the heaviest global burden of unvaccinated children, a concerning statistic revealed by UNICEF. Of the estimated 8.7 million children under one year old in Nigeria, 2.1 million, or 24%, are classified as "zero-dose" (ZD). This means they haven’t received a single dose of any routine vaccine recommended by the national immunization schedule. This figure represents the highest number of ZD children globally, placing Nigeria at the epicenter of a critical public health challenge. The global community aims to reduce ZD children by 25% by 2025 and 50% by 2030, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue in Nigeria.
Paragraph 2: Factors Contributing to Low Vaccination Rates
Several factors contribute to Nigeria’s high ZD child population. Conflict-affected regions, areas impacted by climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, geographically remote locations, pastoral communities, urban outskirts, and slums are particularly vulnerable. Existing healthcare system challenges also play a role, including issues with supply chains, financing, monitoring, data quality, capacity building, human resources, and disruptions to vaccination sessions. These combined challenges create significant barriers to accessing essential vaccinations for many Nigerian children.
Paragraph 3: The Importance of Vaccination and Its Impact
Vaccines are crucial for preventing infectious diseases and saving lives. Children who are not immunized face a significantly higher risk of contracting and succumbing to vaccine-preventable diseases like polio, measles, meningitis, yellow fever, and viral hepatitis. Immunization programs have a proven track record of success globally, saving millions of lives. The disparity between global success and Nigeria’s high ZD numbers underscores the need for intensified efforts to improve vaccination coverage in the country. Vaccines provide the foundation for children to thrive and reach their full potential, contributing to a healthier and more productive society.
Paragraph 4: UNICEF Interventions and Progress in Yobe and Borno States
UNICEF, in collaboration with stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector, is actively working to reduce the number of ZD children. In Yobe State, UNICEF has supported the vaccination of approximately 20,000 ZD children with Diphtheria+Pertussis+Tetanus/Pentavalent vaccines in 2024. UNICEF’s Volunteer Community Mobilizers have played a vital role in reducing non-compliance with routine immunization to less than 1% in their assigned communities within Yobe State. In Borno State, UNICEF’s interventions have reached 145,000 ZD children in prioritized local government areas. This highlights the impactful work being done on the ground to address the ZD challenge.
Paragraph 5: Big Catch-Up Campaigns and Future Vaccination Efforts
Large-scale "Big Catch-Up" (BCU) campaigns are being deployed to further expand vaccination coverage. In the northeastern region, 165,000 ZD children were targeted during BCU campaigns in March and April 2025, aiming to maximize their protection against preventable diseases. The March campaign achieved a 95% success rate, vaccinating 138,000 children. The final round in April aimed to reach the remaining target population. These campaigns demonstrate a commitment to reaching the most vulnerable children and closing the immunity gap.
Paragraph 6: World Immunization Week and the Call for Equitable Access
World Immunization Week serves as a reminder of the profound impact of vaccines and the ongoing need for equitable access. While acknowledging that not everyone currently enjoys equal access to life-saving vaccines, the Nigerian government, in partnership with organizations like UNICEF, is actively working to address these inequities. The Emir of Damaturu, a key influencer and leader, has expressed strong commitment to supporting vaccination drives within his community, further underscoring the collective effort to protect Nigerian children through vaccination. The message is clear: vaccination is crucial for individual and collective protection, and achieving universal vaccination is a shared responsibility and a humanly achievable goal.
