A Non-Governmental Organisation, Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC) in collaboration with the Public Health Organisations has appealed to the Federal Government to as matter of urgency release the 2023 planned 60 billion naira immunisation fund.
The groups while making the call at a press briefing in Abuja with the theme: “Nigeria’s Immunisation Financing for Vaccines and Devices: Navigating Financial Challenges With Resolve” stressed that with the immunisation budget designed to ensure availability of vaccines and strengthen vaccination campaigns in the country, Nigeria was yet to release substantial funds from the appropriated immunisation budget for 2023
The Chief Executive Officer of VNDC, Chika Offor, stated that lamented that the absence of timely release of the fund could jeopardise the progress made in controlling infectious diseases, thereby leaving the country vulnerable to the resurgence of vaccine preventable diseases such as diphtheria and polio.
Offor said: “Currently, there is an epidemic of vaccine-preventable diseases in Nigeria such as diphtheria, measles, yellow fever, etc.
“Despite the global emphasis on vaccination as a vital public health tool, the delay in releasing funds earmarked for immunisation programs raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health of its population.”
She also said, the poor and vulnerable, including children and the elderly, are particularly at risk of suffering the severe consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases.
“With funds yet to be released, health authorities and stakeholders are increasingly concerned about the potential consequences for public health.”
Offor futher reiterated that non-release of the funds by December 31, 2023, will lead to its expiration and therefore cannot be used subsequently for procurement of vaccines and devices, which she mentioned could lead to shortage of vaccines in the country, leading to resurgence of vaccine preventable diseases.
Nonetheless, Offor commended the government for the introduction of new vaccines such as HPV and Rotavirus vaccines and for the approval for the introduction of malaria vaccine in 2024.
She also commended the government for the increased Immunisation budget from 69 Billion in 2023 to N137billion in the 2024 proposed budget.
“But the necessity for substantial budgetary allocations for Immunisation is underscored.”
Meanwhile, the representative of African Health Budget Network(AHBN) Oyeyemi Pitan said that vaccination is important in increasing life expectancy adding Nigeria being one of the countries with the highest number of zero dose children, it is important for the release of the Immunisation fund before the end of 2023 so that there’ll be vaccines available for children in Nigeria.
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