ABUJA: The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has said that it requires more funding to boost immunisation coverage in the country.
In a press briefing to commemorate African Vaccination Week yesterday in Abuja, the executive director of the NPHCDA, Dr Ado Muhammed, said the cost of immunising a child was N4,000, which has gone up with the introduction of new vaccines.
He said that the greatest challenge still bedevilling efforts to completely eradicate childhood diseases is paucity of funds.
He said, “It is pertinent to note that vaccination remains the most effective way to ensure disease prevention and eradication in any given society, and as parents/caregivers, it is mandatory for us to ensure that our families especially children and all eligible persons are protected by the vaccines against preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, tetanus, diphtheria, meningitis, etc.”
The NPHCDA boss further said, “Routine immunisation coverage has increased from 61% in 2012 to 92% in 2014, while the cohort of unimmunised children has reduced by 26% in 2014 compared to 2013. Also, drop-out rate has reduced from 15% in 2012 to 10% in 2014”.
He added that the number of children to be vaccinated has also gone up with the recent increase in the country’s population, as a result of which government now requires further assistance from partners and the private sector.
