According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), Nigeria's vaccination rate falls short of the targets set forth in the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP).

Only 36% of children aged 12-23 months had all of the recommended vaccinations, according to the survey, while 18% had none at all.

This was stated in a press release for World Immunization Week that was given to the Daily Post and was signed by Kunle Olawoyin, Media and Communication Manager for Save the Children International Nigeria.

The statement claims that since 1 in 10 children in Nigeria die before turning five, a significant number of children are at risk for diseases that can be prevented by vaccination.

“Findings of the 2021 Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) & National Immunization Coverage Survey (NICS) carried out by the NBS as part of the global MICS program, shows that the infant mortality rate is 63 deaths per 1,000 live births for the 5 years preceding the survey, while the under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) for the same period is 102 deaths per 1,000 live births.

“The neonatal mortality rate is 34 deaths per 1000 live births.

“Child mortality is 42 deaths per 1,000 live births. The under-5 mortality rate of children born in the poorest households (133 per 1000) was nearly three times the under-5 mortality rate for children born in the richest households (47 per 1000.”

Acting Country Director, Save the Children International, SCI, Nigeria, Faton Krasniqi said there was an urgent need to empower Ward Development Committees (WDC) at the sub-national level to drive accountability processes, as well as promote community action to improve community engagement to increase uptake of routine immunization services in Nigeria.

“Stakeholders should strive to ensure that no child dies from preventable causes before their fifth birthday,” he added.

He urged governments and stakeholders at all levels to accelerate actions toward reducing and ending the under-5 mortality rate of children from vaccine-preventable diseases.