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Nigeria Edition•General
September 25, 2026•0 views
News Brief

Nigeria's 2.1 million unvaccinated children highlight urgent need for primary healthcare system

Nigeria has 2.1 million children who received no dose of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, the largest zero-dose burden globally.

Nigeria's 2.1 million unvaccinated children highlight urgent need for primary healthcare system
Image: BusinessdayCredit: Image: Businessday
Multi-Source Verification:Synthesized across 1 independent reporting sources.
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In Brief

  • •Nigeria has 2.1 million children who received no dose of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, the largest zero-dose burden globally.
  • •Diphtheria vaccination coverage stands at 67%, while measles vaccination coverage is 57%.
  • •The Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria's Adopt-A-Healthcare-Facility Programme has revitalized government-owned primary healthcare facilities.
  • •A structured public-private partnership model is proposed to strengthen primary healthcare and immunization services.

Why It Matters

The high number of unvaccinated children in Nigeria underscores the need for a robust primary healthcare system. Vaccination is crucial for preventing vaccine-preventable diseases and ensuring the health and well-being of children. Strengthening primary healthcare facilities can lead to better immunization coverage and overall health outcomes. This initiative also highlights the potential for public-private partnerships to enhance healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Key Details

Unvaccinated children
2.1 million
Diphtheria vaccination coverage
67%
Measles vaccination coverage
57%

Context & Background

Nigeria has been confronting vaccine-preventable diseases, including diphtheria, which highlights the importance of routine immunization. The country's immunization agenda is inseparable from its primary healthcare agenda.

Original Reporting & Sources

VNews is an independent briefing product. Original reporting remains credited to the following publishers:

Businessday
Primary Source
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About VNews AI News Briefs

This brief was synthesized automatically using attributed third-party reporting. VNews is a digital news publication produced under the VContent Group brand and operated by Francis Vincent Sunday in Ghana, independent from the publishers cited above. Read our AI Transparency Policy and Editorial & Corrections Policy.

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