By Sadiq Sani Malami
The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) has called for sustain Immunization Financing and strengthen Accountability and transparency to address Zero Dose children in Bauchi state.
The network stated in a statement on the Bauchi State 2025 Immunization Budget Accountability Scorecard issued by its Coordinator, Dr Aminu Magashi Garba.
According to the AHBN is working closely with its Communities of Practice (CoP) across Bauchi, Borno, Kano, and Sokoto States, it issued the statement to highlight key findings from the latest Immunization Budget Accountability Scorecard covering the 2025 fiscal year.
“Building on years of evidence-based tracking and citizen-led accountability, the scorecard examines government commitments to immunization financing, budget allocation, releases, and service delivery outcomes,” Dr Magashi said.
Health Reporters Newspaper reports that while the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) initiative supported by GAVI with technical partnership from AFENET has formally concluded in December 2025, AHBN and the CoP remain committed to sustaining accountability efforts that promote equitable access to life-saving vaccines, particularly for zero-dose children in 2026 and beyond.
Bauchi State recorded a notable achievement in immunization financing in 2025, with the State Government allocating and fully releasing ₦872 million into the Immunization Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Basket Fund.
Dr Magashi added that, “this 100% release demonstrates strong political commitment and continuity in supporting routine immunization. AHBN and the Community of Practice commend the State Government for this milestone and encourage sustained commitment in subsequent fiscal years.
The AHBN coordinator lamented that despite the progress, immunization coverage outcomes remain a concern.
“Findings from the scorecard indicate that Penta 1 and Penta 3 vaccination coverage rates are both below 40%, suggesting a gap between financial inputs and service delivery outcomes.
“This underscores the need for strengthened implementation, community outreach, and demand creation to ensure that released funds translate into improved immunization uptake and ensure every child in Bauchi State is immunized,” Magashi added.
