Nigeria’s immunisation programme is currently facing a significant funding gap that threatens its sustainability and effectiveness, according to the Federal Government.
Director-general of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu disclosed this at a multi-stakeholder forum on National Immunisation Funding, organised by the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC) on Wednesday in Abuja.
Yakubu said that despite notable efforts, the country lacks the industrial infrastructure, storage and logistics capabilities necessary for self-sufficiency in vaccine production.
“According to recent data, the financial requirement for Nigeria’s immunisation programme stands at $580 million. However, the Nigerian public sector contributes less than $200 million, leaving a substantial $430 million gap,” Yakubu stated.
“This shortfall has been partially bridged by international donors, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, GAVI, UNICEF and others, who together contribute $230 million. Despite these contributions, a $200 million funding gap remains unaddressed,” he added.
Yakubu emphasised that these figures underscore the challenges facing the country’s immunisation efforts. “The reliance on external funding has been pivotal in achieving the current disease coverage, but the shortfall highlights the need for more robust and sustainable solutions,” he said.
In response to these challenges, Yakubu noted that the current administration has pledged to close the funding and capability gaps. “The Federal Ministry of Health is actively working to enhance the country’s industrial capacity to produce a full range of immunisation vaccines domestically. This initiative is part of a broader medical industrialisation program aimed at achieving self-sufficiency through an import substitution strategy,” he explained.
Former chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Ibrahim Oloriegbe stressed the need for the National Assembly to prioritise funding for immunisation and primary healthcare through effective appropriation.
Oloriegbe highlighted that proper funding for vaccines and immunisation not only addresses health issues but also has significant economic and security benefits. He called for a strategic allocation of resources, ensuring sustainability by making vaccine counterpart funding a first-line charge, similar to the basic healthcare provision fund. This approach, he argued, would ultimately save costs in the long run and enhance productivity and demographic management.
Chairman of the Health System Reform Coalition of Nigeria (HSRCN), Dr. Mustapha Lecky stressed the critical impact of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) on children under five in Nigeria, highlighting the urgent need to address these preventable deaths.
“The economic and generational loss caused by children’s deaths underscores the broader implications of these preventable deaths on Nigeria’s economy and future generations,” Lecky said. He emphasised the importance of improving surveillance systems, laboratory networks, vaccine procurement and administration to enhance immunisation coverage and prevent deaths.
Lecky called for collective action and commitment from stakeholders to implement the African Declaration on Immunisation, stressing the importance of collaboration in addressing the issue.
Nigeria coordinator for Prevent Epidemics/Immunisation Programmes at GHAI, Prof. Emmanuel Alhassan said that the country is significantly lagging in vaccine and immunisation financing.
Alhassan underscored the importance of this funding.
“We recognise the gaps. As of today, we haven’t paid our outstanding 2023 obligation. For 2024, we were supposed to have paid in June, but that hasn’t happened, and July ends today.
“I appeal to all stakeholders, especially the decision-makers. We are very grateful to the National Assembly, the Budget Office, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Budget and National Planning and the Office of the Accountant General for their cooperation. We understand the fiscal challenges facing the country, but we also know that health is wealth. Immunisation is crucial for enhancing the health of all Nigerians,” he added.
CEO of VNDC, Mrs. Chika Offor expressed that anything that disrupts development is a disease and anything that supports development is a vaccine. “Today, we are here to discuss a critical point: immunisation. It’s extremely important, and we need funding to support it. Money is essential to purchase vaccines,” she said.
“We saw some girls in the picture outside, smiling because they received the HPV vaccine. This vaccine isn’t bought with sand; it’s bought with money. That’s why we are here today, to come together and find a way forward,” Offor highlighted.
Offor mentioned that the high-level meeting hopes to discuss the financial shortfall and the administration’s commitment to addressing the various gaps in financing, industrial capacity, logistics, and storage. She expressed optimism that this commitment offers hope for Nigeria to overcome its current hurdles and establish a more sustainable immunisation programme.
“The ongoing efforts and international support are crucial to Nigeria’s goal of achieving independent vaccine production, which will significantly improve public health outcomes across the nation,” she concluded.
