The Department of Public Health, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, has called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to reform Nigeria’s immunisation system, with emphasis on vaccine safety, transparent funding, local production and equitable access.
The call was made on Monday during a press conference following the department’s maiden Public Health Symposium and Induction Ceremony, themed “Vaccinations in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects.”
Reading the communiqué, the Head of Department, Dr. Adeniyi Samuel Oginni, stressed that transparency, credible scientific evidence and effective safety monitoring were essential to building public confidence in vaccination programmes.
“Transparency is fundamental to building and sustaining public confidence in vaccination programmes. Public concerns regarding vaccine procurement, funding, distribution, safety monitoring and programme outcomes should be addressed through accessible information and accountable institutional processes,” the communiqué stated.
The department urged the Federal Government to publish regular, accessible reports on vaccine procurement, immunisation expenditure, distribution, coverage and safety monitoring, including programmes supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
“Relevant government agencies should periodically publish accessible reports on immunization expenditure, vaccine distribution, coverage, safety monitoring and programme outcomes,” it recommended.
It also called on the National Assembly to strengthen oversight of domestic and externally funded immunisation programmes to promote accountability and ensure that resources are properly managed.
“The National Assembly should exercise appropriate legislative oversight to ensure accountability in the implementation of national immunisation policies and externally supported vaccination programmes,” the communiqué stated.
Acknowledging the contributions of international development partners, the department said “the role of international development partners, particularly Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in supporting vaccine access and immunisation programmes in Nigeria was recognised as an important area for continued public accountability.”
On vaccine safety, the department called for prompt, evidence-based investigations into reported adverse events following immunisation. It stressed the importance of distinguishing between a medical event that occurs after vaccination and an adverse reaction scientifically established to have been caused by a vaccine.
“The symposium identified vaccine safety communication as a critical component of public trust. It emphasised the need to distinguish between an adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) and an adverse reaction caused by a vaccine,” the communiqué stated.
It further explained that “an adverse event following immunisation is any untoward medical occurrence that follows vaccination and does not, by itself, establish that the vaccine caused the event. A suspected adverse reaction requires appropriate scientific assessment to determine whether a causal relationship exists.”
The department also recommended improved training for healthcare workers to equip them with credible information and the skills to respond to public concerns transparently, without dismissing legitimate fears or presenting unverified claims as facts.
“Healthcare workers should be adequately trained to respond to vaccine safety concerns without dismissing legitimate questions or presenting unverified claims as established facts,” it said.
Experts seek urgent action on unvaccinated children
The communiqué raised concern over figures indicating that nearly 2.1 million Nigerian children missed routine vaccinations in 2024, urging authorities to intensify targeted outreach to underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
It stressed that children from disadvantaged families should not be excluded from immunisation because of their location or financial circumstances.
The department also highlighted the importance of considering nutritional status and underlying illnesses during clinical assessment and immunisation planning. Drawing on presentations at the symposium, including insights from Prof. Arinola, it noted that nutritional deficiencies and certain health conditions could affect immune function and responses to vaccination.
“During the discussion, Prof. Arinola raised concerns about the consideration given to individual health conditions, including malnutrition and physical illness, when administering vaccines, particularly in relation to immune responses and the assessment of vaccination outcomes,” the communiqué stated.
It added: “The symposium recognises the importance of considering individual health status in clinical assessment and immunisation planning. Nutritional deficiencies and certain illnesses may affect immune function and responses to vaccination, although the implications vary according to the condition, the vaccine and the individual concerned.”
The department therefore recommended incorporating appropriate clinical assessments and nutritional screening into primary healthcare immunisation services without creating unnecessary barriers or delays to vaccination.
The experts also called for increased government investment in domestic vaccine research and manufacturing, alongside technology transfer, to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported vaccines.
According to the department, strengthening local production capacity would improve national health security and enhance the country’s ability to respond to public health emergencies.
Community engagement, responsible reporting
To address vaccine hesitancy and cultural concerns, the department recommended stronger partnerships between health authorities, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other community representatives.
“The symposium acknowledged the considerable influence of traditional rulers, religious leaders and other community representatives on public attitudes towards vaccination,” the communiqué stated.
It noted that resistance to vaccination could arise from misinformation, safety concerns, distrust of institutions, cultural beliefs or previous experiences with healthcare services.
“Community resistance may arise from misinformation, concerns about safety, distrust of institutions, cultural beliefs or previous experiences with healthcare services. These concerns require respectful engagement and credible communication rather than the assumption that all resistance results from ignorance,” it added.
The department maintained that “traditional and religious leaders could help address misconceptions, facilitate dialogue and encourage informed health decisions within their communities.”
It also urged media organisations to report vaccine-related developments responsibly, distinguishing verified medical findings from preliminary research, personal accounts and unsubstantiated claims.
Describing the press as an important link between communities, researchers and policymakers, the communiqué said responsible journalism could promote informed debate, improve public understanding and strengthen accountability.
“The media and community-based organisations should support responsible public education that addresses misinformation without creating unnecessary fear or stigmatising hesitant individuals,” it stated.
It added: “Reporting on vaccine safety should distinguish between verified findings, preliminary reports, personal accounts and unsubstantiated claims.”
Call for legislative and policy reforms
The communiqué urged the National Assembly to convene public hearings on vaccine safety, funding transparency and equitable distribution to encourage public participation and strengthen accountability.
It also called for qualified researchers to be granted access to routine national immunisation data, subject to appropriate ethical safeguards.
“The National Assembly, through the appropriate committees responsible for health, public accounts, appropriations and related matters, should consider our recommendation by granting qualified researchers access to routine national immunisation data, subject to appropriate ethical safeguards,” the communiqué stated.
In addition, the department called for a review of the Federal Scheme of Service to establish a clear career progression pathway for public health graduates, in line with the National Health Policy’s emphasis on disease prevention.
The communiqué concluded that “effective vaccination programmes require more than the availability and distribution of vaccines,” stressing that public confidence, transparent governance, credible scientific evidence, appropriate safety monitoring and meaningful community participation were essential to the success of Nigeria’s immunisation system.