The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has reiterated the importance of vaccinating children against diphtheria, a highly contagious but vaccine-preventable disease.
Executive director of the NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina made this call over the weekend in Abuja, emphasising that timely immunisation remains the most effective way to prevent outbreaks.
He urged parents to ensure their children receive three doses of the pentavalent vaccine at six, 10 and 14 weeks of age to guarantee full protection against diphtheria and other infectious diseases.
“Diphtheria, caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium, spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact. It can lead to severe respiratory complications, heart failure, and even death if untreated. However, timely vaccination can prevent outbreaks and protect both individuals and communities,” Aina said.
Nigeria has recently experienced a surge in diphtheria cases, particularly in states with low immunisation coverage. To curb the spread, the NPHCDA and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) have intensified vaccination campaigns across affected areas.
Aina warned that unvaccinated children remain vulnerable to outbreaks and called for community participation in vaccination drives to achieve herd immunity and reduce the disease burden.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) continue to support Nigeria’s immunisation efforts by providing vaccines and technical assistance to strengthen routine immunisation programmes,” he noted.
To further contain the spread, Aina urged state governments and traditional leaders to promote awareness and ensure vaccines reach every child, particularly in underserved communities.
“For more information, parents can visit their nearest primary healthcare centre or contact local health authorities to schedule their child’s vaccinations,” he added.
Nigeria recorded 23 new suspected diphtheria cases in the 10th epidemiological week of 2025, with Lagos State accounting for 20 cases, followed by Katsina with three.
The surge in Lagos follows an outbreak at King’s College, where 14 students were infected, resulting in one fatality. In response, the Lagos State Government launched an emergency vaccination campaign, while infected students received treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
The school principal implemented hygiene measures, though some parents criticised the school’s sanitary conditions. Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi assured the public that 12 of the infected students were recovering and would soon be discharged.
Nationally, between May 2022 and March 2025, Nigeria recorded 1,319 diphtheria-related deaths from 42,642 suspected cases across 37 states.
Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, and Jigawa accounted for 96.3 per cent of cases. Of the suspected cases, 25,812 (60.5 per cent) were confirmed across 184 local government areas in 26 states.
As the country battles ongoing outbreaks, health authorities continue to stress the need for widespread immunisation to curb the disease’s spread and prevent further fatalities.
