The Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC) has applauded the proactive engagement of Nigerian lawmakers at the recently concluded Istanbul Parliamentary Forum on Immunisation Financing, held from April 15 to 16, 2025, in Istanbul, Türkiye.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, the chief executive officer of VNDC, Mrs. Chika Offor described the lawmakers’ participation as a pivotal step toward repositioning Nigeria’s health sector.
Science Nigeria reports that the forum, themed “Catalysing Parliamentary Leadership for Immunisation Financing,” brought together parliamentarians from Africa and Asia to reaffirm their commitment to ending vaccine-preventable diseases through stronger legislative support and sustainable financing.
Offor stressed the forum’s significance in reinforcing routine immunisation, primary health care (PHC) and advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“We are pleased to see Nigerian lawmakers aligning with global best practices and advocating for increased domestic financing for immunisation. This is crucial for protecting children’s health, achieving zero-dose coverage, and ensuring national health security,” she said.
She noted that during the forum, Nigerian lawmakers pledged to prioritise immunisation and PHC in national and subnational budgets. They also committed to sustaining Gavi co-financing as the country transitions to full vaccine self-financing and to supporting the creation of transparent, accountable, and sustainable immunisation financing mechanisms.
She added that the forum underscored the need for local vaccine production to improve regional supply resilience, enhance parliamentary oversight, and boost civil society engagement in vaccine advocacy and demand creation.
Offor echoed the forum’s call for a $9 billion global investment for Gavi’s 2026–2030 replenishment cycle, aimed at protecting 500 million more children and responding to 150 disease outbreaks worldwide.
She reaffirmed VNDC’s commitment to promoting legislative advocacy, community mobilisation and public accountability to guarantee equitable vaccine access across Nigeria.
“We look forward to working closely with parliamentarians, civil society, and development partners to translate this declaration into measurable actions, especially in reaching zero-dose children in underserved communities,” she said.
Offor also welcomed the formation of the Africa-Asia Parliamentary Network on Immunisation and PHC, saying it would strengthen collaboration, oversight and knowledge sharing among lawmakers committed to reforming health financing across both regions.
Also speaking at the forum, Hon. Musa Ali Kachako of the Kano State House of Assembly called for legislative measures to support innovative budgeting mechanisms, such as first-line charge, improved alignment between budget planning and cash flow and timely, predictable fund releases.
He added that expanding private sector engagement would enhance the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s immunisation financing efforts.
