As stakeholders around the world continue to reflect on the importance of immunization, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), Senator Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has commended the proactive measures instituted by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), whose health sector reforms continue to strengthen the health sector in Nigeria.
In a statement to mark the 2025 World Immunisation Week, Senator Dr. Banigo said the theme, “Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible,” presents a global opportunity to rally collective support for expanding routine immunisation coverage across the nation. Sen Dr. Banigo emphasised that this is a crucial moment to raise awareness, as more than 2 million children remain unimmunized in Nigeria, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases.
The Harvard-trained Public Health Physician noted that World Immunisation Week, observed annually in the last week of April, underscores the importance of collaboration and collective action in promoting immunisation uptake to protect people of all ages.
She reiterated the national goal of achieving 90% immunisation coverage administered to infants and children under five years. A fully immunised child, she said, should receive BCG, measles, and three doses each of DPT and polio vaccines.
“Immunisation can prevent several childhood diseases, including but not limited to measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), and pneumococcal disease,” she stated.
The former Deputy Governor of Rivers State stressed that immunisation saves millions of lives each year and remains one of the most effective tools in safeguarding health, and curbing the spread of preventable diseases.
The lawmaker representing the Rivers West Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly called on all stakeholders—parents, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, health workers, teachers, and caregivers—to support the campaign for universal child immunisation across Nigeria. She further reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening legislative frameworks that prioritize immunisation as a first-line charge, ensuring sustainable financing, improved access, and stronger accountability within the national health architecture.
According to her, such measures would reinforce the National Immunisation Policy, save lives, promote healthy child development, and prevent serious illnesses and long-term disabilities such as poliomyelitis.
