By Abujah Racheal
Mrs Ganiyat Farouk, a mother of three from Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, exemplifies countless Nigerians whose children have benefited from routine immunisation.
Mrs Farouk reflected on the years her children have stayed healthy, thanks to the immunisations.
“I never saw the value in vaccines beyond keeping my children safe from diseases,” she said.
As Nigeria grapples with the ongoing burden of preventable diseases, experts call for a shift in how vaccines a perceived.
Vaccines are not just health interventions but critical long-term investments that strengthen the entire healthcare system.
While immunisation efforts have made significant strides in the country, challenges remain, particularly in funding.
Vaccines are viewed as expensive, leading to difficulties in securing consistent and substantial financial support.
However, stakeholders believe that reframing this narrative to highlight the economic returns of vaccination could catalyse greater domestic investment in immunization programmes.
Dr Simon Agwale, CEO of Innovative Biotech, said that vaccines should be seen as investments not as expenses.
According to Agwale, when we invest in vaccines, we are reducing long-term healthcare costs, preventing loss of productivity due to illness, and boosting our economic growth.
“The returns on these investments are measurable and undeniable” he said.
His view is also shared by health economists who argue that for every dollar spent on immunisation, countries experience significant returns.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that every dollar invested in vaccines yields 44 dollars in economic benefits due to reduced healthcare costs and a healthier workforce.
Dr Kate O’Brien, Director, Immunisation, Vaccines, and Biologicals Department at WHO, stresses the economic benefits of investing in vaccines.
O’Brien says the importance of framing immunisation as a critical development priority.
“Vaccines are not just a health issue; they are a development issue. Framing vaccines as long-term investments rather than immediate expenses will encourage stakeholders to prioritise them in national budgets,” she said.
She suggested that advocacy efforts should focus on presenting vaccines as economically beneficial, with measurable returns that can justify increased domestic investment in immunisation.
She also expressed concern over the inconsistency in data reporting rates, noting that delays or incomplete data affect critical decision-making.
“If we show that vaccines deliver tangible economic returns, we will make a stronger case for sustained funding.”
She recommended increased support for health facilities in adopting licensed Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) to improve the quality and timeliness of data collection.
“Accurate, real-time data is crucial for effective vaccine distribution and for monitoring the impact of immunisation programmes.
“Without accurate data, it becomes difficult to make informed decisions about where resources should be allocated.
“Strong data systems are keys to ensuring that immunisation programmes are not only well-funded but also well-targeted,” she said.
Recent data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) shows significant gaps in childhood immunisation coverage across Nigeria.
According to the report, 31 per cent of children aged 12–23 months have not received any vaccines.
This statistic underscores the challenges in achieving universal immunisation coverage and reducing child mortality.
According to the NDHS report, despite the expanded immunisation schedule, only 39 per cent of children aged 12–23 months were fully vaccinated with the basic antigens, revealing a significant shortfall.
The survey also pointed to stark regional disparities in vaccination coverage.
It revealed that the South East recorded the highest BCG vaccination rate at 93.9 per cent, while the North West lagged significantly at just 50.2 per cent.
“Urban areas generally showed higher coverage than rural areas, where logistical challenges and limited access to healthcare facilities hinder vaccination efforts,” it said.
In 2022, Nigeria introduced the rotavirus vaccine in phases across northern and southern states to combat diarrheal diseases, a leading cause of infant mortality.
However, data showed a low uptake, with only 18 per cent of children receiving the third dose of the rotavirus vaccine, vaccines administered by putting drops into the child’s mouth.
Dr Benjamin Loevinsohn, Director of Immunisation Financing and Sustainability, Gavi, reaffirmed its support for Nigeria’s immunisation efforts while underscoring the importance of the country meeting its financial commitments.
Loevinsohn urged Nigeria to implement the Vaccine Financing and Sustainability in the Gavi 6.0 Framework.
The framework projects Nigeria’s vaccine procurement costs for the Gavi 6.0 period to stay under $1.2 billion, with malaria, PCV, and MMCV as the main cost drivers.
“The total estimated procurement cost for this period is $1.180 billion with 35 per cent ($406 million) covered by Gavi and 65 per cent ($774 million) by Nigeria,” he said.
He also cited the enhanced Eligibility, Transition, and Co-financing (ELTRACO ) policies as areas of concern.
“These policies guide how to reduce Nigeria’s co-financing by approximately $180 million, lowering its obligation from $760 million to an estimated $580 million.
“This represents a 24 per cent reduction in Nigeria’s co-financing for the next five years.
“Gavi’s additional $300 million investment, due to ELTRACO will provide Nigeria with approximately $180 in added support for vaccine procurement,” he said.
In spite of these benefits, fiscal challenges such as currency devaluation have the potential to impact Nigeria’s ability to meet these financial targets.
Loevinsohn stressed the need for increased domestic resource mobilisation and budget efficiency.
“Gavi and its partners, including Pharos, R4D, and the World Bank, will assist Nigeria with budget forecasting and fiscal space analysis to ensure that funding commitments are met,” he said.
Dr Fatima Gohar, Health Manager: Health System Strengthening and PHC, Nigeria, UNICEF, is worried by the impact of fluctuating foreign exchange rates on Nigeria’s vaccine procurement costs.
Gohar urged Gavi to help Nigeria by setting up risk mitigation mechanisms, such as currency hedging, to manage these fluctuations.
Her comments highlight an ongoing challenge faced by Nigeria in its vaccine financing efforts.
The fluctuations in exchange rates have made it difficult for the country to meet its co-financing obligations, particularly in light of the large share it is required to cover under the Gavi 6.0 framework.
Currency devaluation has led to higher procurement costs, which threaten the sustainability of immunisation programs in the long term.
“Currency hedging, in particular, would allow the country to lock in exchange rates and protect against future volatility.
“This would be a significant step toward stabilising vaccine procurement costs and ensuring that funding for immunization programs remains predictable and sustainable,” she said.
The Coordinator of the African Health Budget Network (AHBN), Dr Aminu Magashi Garba aligning accountability frameworks with realistic and contextually relevant indicators was important in vaccine funding initiatives.
Magashi advocated indicators that are integrated with the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) framework, while also supporting supplementary indicators that reflect both national and subnational targets.
“Without regular audits, it becomes difficult to assess financial management and ensure transparency,” he explained.
He proposed including an annual external audit as a regular indicator, which would ensure better financial oversight and enhance accountability in vaccine and health financing.
The Federal Government, in collaboration with global health partners, has taken significant steps to ensure sustainable vaccine financing and improved health outcomes in Nigeria.
At a high-level meeting chaired by Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, stakeholders reviewed and approved a revised accountability framework for Nigeria’s vaccine financing strategy under Gavi 6.0.
According to Pate, the framework introduces a structured scoring system to assess Nigeria’s performance and ensure alignment with the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp).
He highlighted the importance of quarterly performance reviews, targeted interventions for underperforming states, and annual external audits to promote.
As Nigeria navigates the complexities of immunization financing, the time is now for a shift in both perception and action.
Experts say vaccines should no longer be viewed as mere costs but as critical investments with far-reaching economic benefits.
It’s essential that the government, private sector, and all stakeholders collaborate to increase domestic funding for immunisation programmes and prioritise vaccines within national budgets.
(NANFeatures)
