(Nigerian children. Photo credit: Vanguard news)
Nigeria’s rising percentage of unvaccinated children has sparked new concerns as the globe observes globe Immunization Week 2026, urging swift and concerted action to close the disparity.
Save the Children Nigeria has called for increased dedication and coordinated action to reach under-immunized and zero-dose children throughout Nigeria, especially in underprivileged urban and peri-urban communities in Lagos and Kano States, under the theme “For every generation, vaccines work.”
Nigeria continues to be among the nations with the highest rates of children not receiving routine immunization services.
An estimated 2.3 million children are only partially immunized, and a further 2.1 million have never gotten a single vaccination, indicating both systemic deficiencies and ongoing access difficulties.
When these numbers are taken together, Nigeria has the second-highest number of zero-dose children worldwide.
In a statement, Save the Children calls on the government, partners, communities, and stakeholders to improve outreach in hard-to-reach communities, strengthen routine immunization services, and guarantee that no child is left behind in order to reach zero-dose and under-immunized children, particularly in underserved settlements.
Save the Children demanded that the government make investments in various vaccination contact points within the health system, defaulter tracking, and the utilization of high-quality data.
In order to guarantee long-term coverage for everyone, it called for the assistance of qualified health professionals in providing courteous, high-quality immunization services, addressing false information and detrimental social norms through reliable community leaders, inclusive engagement strategies, and increasing domestic and partner financing for immunization and primary health care.
Experts emphasize that narrowing the immunization gap is essential for achieving equitable health outcomes across the country as well as for safeguarding children.
The statement claims that vaccination is still one of the most economical public health initiatives, saving millions of lives globally each year, but in Nigeria, many children continue to miss routine vaccinations due to limited access to services, weak follow-up and data systems, misinformation, harmful social and gender norms, and gaps in community engagement.
Through the Better Opportunities for Optimal Services and Targeted Immunization (BOOST) Project, Save the Children Nigeria is collaborating with government and community partners in Lagos and Kano States to enhance fair access to vaccination services, boost demand among caregivers, and establish an enabling policy and social environment that prioritizes children who are under-immunized and receive zero doses.
Despite the fact that vaccines have shielded families for many generations, millions of Nigerian children continue to be denied this fundamental right. Strong health infrastructure, reliable community involvement, and ongoing funding are necessary to reach zero dose and underimmunized children.