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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has stressed the importance of prompt administration of all relevant vaccines to all new borns and teenagers for their total health and the well-being of the general population.
The Agency warned against misinformation that could result in vaccine rejection, thus affecting the successes made over the years in enlightenment and advocacies that resulted in increased acceptance and intake of all the relevant vaccines.
The Agency said it has used different means and channels to sensitise the public about the efficacy of vaccines over the years, but it won’t force anyone to take the vaccine against his or her will, perhaps, based on convictions, religious, cultural or personal beliefs.
Executive Director of NPHCDA, Muyi Aina, told journalists at a quarterly media parley in Abuja, yesterday, that despite the hesitation to take the vaccines in some states, the data indicated that more people have made themselves and their children available for the different vaccines in the national immunisation programme, especially the HPV and Measles Rubella.
He said: “Our duty is to make good policies and follow it up with education and enlightenment of the people on the benefits of immunisation and we have been doing that. We have engaged trusted individuals at different levels, including community, traditional and religious leaders in this effort and it has been yielding the desired results. But, we can’t force it on anyone who chooses not to take the vaccine for whatever reason.”
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The NPHCDA boss further disclosed that $150 million is spent annually by the Federal Government to procure relevant vaccines for Nigerians, even though some part of the funding comes from the international partners particularly Gavi. He maintained that the Federal Government was committed to providing equal opportunity for Nigerians to access quick and quality healthcare services at all levels, especially at the Primary Health Care (PHC) centres.
“Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) has been a game changer for us. It has provided an expanded opportunity to people to access quality and near-free basic healthcare services. More PHCs are being onboarded in the BHCPF because more funds are being made available.
“This has increased the confidence of the people on PHCs across the country, thus resulting more visits to the centre. Available data indicated that PHC attendance increased from 29 million in 2023 to 46 million in 2025. That’s a significant change and we are working on improving that.”
The NPHCDA boss also spoke about the progress being made on the fight against malaria, disclosing that the administration of malaria vaccine has been effective in the states, namely, Bayelsa, Ondo, Bauchi and Kebbi states.
He solicited the support of all Nigerians to the cause of building a stronger healthcare system that would be beneficial to all irrespective of class or social status.
