The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has reminded Nigerian parents that vaccinating children is not optional but a right that every child deserves. Speaking in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the agency, stressed that vaccines are essential tools for preventing deadly diseases and protecting public health.
He explained that immunisation remains one of the safest, most effective, and affordable ways to prevent diseases such as polio, measles, hepatitis B, tuberculosis, and diphtheria. According to him, the government is committed to making these vaccines available in every part of the country and urged parents to take their children to the nearest health centres for free vaccinations.
Aina pointed out that the NPHCDA, in collaboration with development partners and state governments, is expanding routine immunisation and community outreach programmes. The focus, he said, is on reaching “zero-dose” children—those who have never received any vaccine—especially in remote or underserved communities.
He encouraged Nigerians to support the campaign by becoming vaccine advocates, sharing accurate information, and urging others to do the same. Community involvement, he said, plays a key role in countering vaccine hesitancy and ensuring that no child is left behind.
The Executive Director also called on traditional leaders, religious institutions, civil society groups, and the media to take active roles in promoting vaccine acceptance. He emphasised that protecting children through immunisation is a shared responsibility that strengthens collective immunity and secures a healthier future.
As Nigeria pushes forward with healthcare reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, Aina restated the agency’s commitment to reaching every child across the country. He also expressed gratitude to parents and caregivers who welcome vaccinators and ensure their children receive the necessary protection.
By choosing vaccination, he said, families are not just safeguarding their own children but contributing to a safer and healthier Nigeria.
