Immunisation and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Unfortunately, one in five Nigerian children die before the age of 5 years, and this is mostly due to vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Fortunately, these deaths can be prevented by ensuring all children are fully vaccinated.

The common VPDs in children under the age of five are Tuberculosis, Poliomyelitis, Hepatitis B, Diarrhoea, Haemophilus Influenza type B, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Tetanus, Pneumonia, Measles, Rubella, Yellow Fever, Meningitis and Human Papilloma Virus. These are serious diseases that could lead to mortality and vaccinations are the most effective way to prevent them.

Vaccines are live or weakened bacterial or viral agents that stimulate the body's immune system to recognise such agent as a foreign body (antigen). The immune response leads to a destruction of the antigen and produces antibodies that help the body "remember" to protect itself from infections and diseases if that particular antigen returns.

The Federal Government of Nigeria ensures that vaccines for these VPDs are available throughout the country at no cost in all public and private hospitals that offer routine immunisation services. The vaccines are provided free of charge in all public hospitals especially in the primary health care centres, but if you choose to attend a private hospital, you may be required to pay for them.

Every child has a right to be vaccinated, and failure to do so may even incur penalties. If you live in Lagos State, you may be aware of the child rights law. Parts of the law states that every parent with a child less than two years must ensure the child is fully immunised and a court of law may compel unyielding parents and penalties may follow. This is because an unimmunised child poses a risk to other children within their environment.

The current Nigerian Expanded Programme on Immunisation Schedule for children under one year covers 14 VPDs, and only six visits are required to ensure a child is fully vaccinated.

UNDER-1 EPI SCHEDULE

AGE OF CHILD	ANTIGEN	DISEASE PREVENTED
Birth	BCG, HepB, OPV0	Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Poliomyelitis
6 weeks	OPV1, PENTA1, ROTA1, PCV1	Poliomyelitis, Hepatitis B, Haemophilus Influenza type B, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Diarrhoea, Pneumonia
10 weeks	OPV2, PENTA2, ROTA2, PCV2	Poliomyelitis, Hepatitis B, Haemophilus Influenza type B, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Diarrhoea, Pneumonia
14 weeks	OPV3, PENTA3, IPV, PCV3	Poliomyelitis, Hepatitis B, Haemophilus Influenza type B, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Pneumonia
9 months 15 months	Measles, YF, Men-A Measles 2nd dose	Measles, Yellow Fever and Meningitis Measles

One of the best gifts a parent can give to their children is the gift of life. You feed and clothe them but it is also your responsibility to ensure they live long. You should watch them grow healthy so that you can enjoy the fruits your labours.

Please do the right thing and ensure your children and all children around you are vaccinated.

If you have questions, please leave them below and they will be answered quickly.

Dr O.













References


National Primary Health Care Development Agency (2016) Basic Guide on Routine Immunisation, NPHCDA

Lagos State Government (2007) Child's Right Law. Available from www.dsvrtlagos.org/pdfs/Child's%20Right%20Law%202007%20(2).pdf (Accessed 17 July 2018)

WHO (n.d) Nigeria: Trends. Available from www.who.int/pmnch/activities/countries/nigeria/en/index1.html (Accessed 17 July 2018)