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Health
September 11, 2025 by Joseph Eshanokpe
The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), in partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), has held a workshop in lkeja to develop the Lagos State five-Year Routine Immunisation Roadmap (2026–2030).
At the event were directors from the PHCB, Medical Officers, Local Immunisation Officers (LIOs), experts, religious organisations and development partners.
They are co-creating a strategic framework aimed at closing immunisation coverage gaps and ensuring equitable access to vaccines across the state.
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Permanent Secretary, LSPHCB, Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, said immunisation is more than a public health intervention; rather it is a “social contract”, a shared responsibility to protect every child, regardless of background with vaccines.
While Lagos has made commendable progress, he acknowledged that immunisation coverage remains uneven, particularly in riverine areas, informal urban settlements, and among mobile populations.
Some local government areas, he noted, still report coverage rates as low as 60 per cent, leaving many children exposed to preventable diseases.
Mustafa called on participants to see this moment as pivotal.
He urged them to take coordinated action that could transform not only the future of immunisation in Lagos but also serve as a model for other states in Nigeria and beyond.
He reminded that the outcomes of the workshop would shape the health of future generations and strength of communities.
Also, the state Coordinator, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Olusegun Emiju,outlined the broader vision behind the roadmap. He emphasised that this effort was about more than planning; it is about building a resilient, accountable, and inclusive system that can sustain progress.
He stressed the importance of strong monitoring mechanisms, collaborative leadership, and strategic planning informed by reliable data.
Reflecting on the challenges faced during the rollout of the HPV vaccine two years ago, Emiju highlighted the need for robust community engagement and consistent public trust to overcome vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
Director of Vaccines, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Dr. Hadley Ikwe, underscored the strategic importance of Lagos in Nigeria’s immunisation landscape. With its size, diversity, and unique logistical challenges, Lagos plays a central role in shaping national outcomes.
Ikwe urged participants to move beyond the challenges and think about the future. If Lagos succeeds, he noted, the momentum could inspire and guide similar efforts across the country.
The roadmap development is being led by the LSPHCB and CHAI, in collaboration with the NPHCDA and a coalition of development partners, experts, and civil society organisations.
Beyond boosting vaccine coverage, the initiative aims to strengthen primary healthcare to accelerate the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
At the end, the participants were expected to produce a draft of the Roadmap that is inclusive, data-driven, financially sustainable, and grounded in the realities and aspirations of the communities.
English (US)