FCTA to strengthen enforcement of child immunisation in Abuja schools

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is set to enforce stricter adherence to child immunisation regulations in all public and private schools across Abuja, the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dolapo Fasawe, disclosed on Thursday.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC), Fasawe warned that schools failing to comply will face sanctions under current public health and education laws. She highlighted the enforcement as a direct application of the Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003, which requires full immunisation as a legal right for every child.

“Denying children access to vaccines is not just an administrative oversight; it violates a fundamental child right. Sections 13 and 14 of the CRA clearly assign parents, guardians, and institutions the duty to ensure no child is left exposed to preventable illnesses,” Fasawe stressed.

The urgency of the directive follows reports of some schools obstructing vaccination teams during the ongoing Measles-Rubella campaign, hindering outreach efforts and putting many children at risk of missing vital immunisation.

She applauded the collaborative vaccination efforts led by the FCTA, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and development partners for making significant progress in covering the target population.

To boost immunisation uptake, the FCT has introduced an innovative policy linking vaccination to health insurance registration. Under the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS), more than 600 vaccination teams have been equipped with reflective jackets and logistical support across the six area councils.

To tackle ongoing non-compliance, a list of defiant schools has been created, followed by targeted communication campaigns. Schools on this list have received official warning letters. Additionally, a three-day mop-up campaign involving 132 vaccination teams will focus on reaching unvaccinated children.

New directives from FCTA require schools to verify immunisation status during admission, re-admission, and transfers; maintain Child Health Registers; collaborate with nearby Primary Health Centres for on-site vaccinations; promote immunisation awareness at assemblies and PTA meetings; and submit monthly compliance reports to the Health Secretariat via the Education Secretariat.

Fasawe praised Stella Maris School, Abuja, for demonstrating exemplary cooperation with vaccination teams and urged other schools and parents to follow suit.

“Immunisation is safe, effective, and essential to safeguarding every child’s health. It is a shared duty, a legal obligation, and a moral responsibility. Together, we must guarantee that no child in the FCT goes unprotected from preventable diseases,” she concluded.