Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC), a critical stakeholder in vaccine administration in Nigeria, has urgently advocated that Office of the Accountant General of the Federation facilitate urgent release of the N60bn cash-planned immunisation fund for 2023 exercise.

The Network said that failure to take urgent action on the matter could leave Nigeria vulnerable to the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as diphtheria, polio, among several others.

It added that currently, there is an epidemic of vaccine preventable diseases in Nigeria such as diphtheria, measles, yellow fever etc, and despite the global emphasis on vaccination as a vital public health tool, the delay in releasing funds earmarked for immunisation programmes raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health of its population.

Chika Offor, the Chief Executive Officer, VNDC, told journalists at a press conference, in Abuja, on Thursday, that swift and decisive response from the Office of the Accountant General will pave the way for financial stability, ensuring that budgetary allocations remain intact for critical health programs, including immunisation and the introduction of new vaccines in 2024.

She said: “The poor and vulnerable, including children and the elderly, are particularly at risk of suffering the severe consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases. The absence of timely release of immunisation funds jeopardises the progress made in controlling infectious diseases and poses a direct threat to the health and well-being of those who are most in need.”

She explained that immunisation budget, a crucial component of the overall health expenditure, was designed to ensure the availability of vaccines, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, and support comprehensive vaccination campaigns across the country.

“With funds yet to be released, health authorities and stakeholders are increasingly concerned about the potential consequences for public health. Lack of funding for immunisation programmes could lead to a rise in vaccine-preventable diseases, putting vulnerable populations, particularly children and the elderly at risk,” she added.

The VNDC boss said the release of the immunisation fund will ensure continued seamless implementation of critical immunisation programmes that would assist in protecting the most vulnerable members in the society.

She expressed concerns about the consequences of unmet financial obligations in Nigeria’s immunisation funding. “If these funds are not released by 31st December 2023, the funds will expire and cannot be used subsequently for procurement of vaccines and devices.

“There will be possibility of a shortage of vaccines in Nigeria leading to resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. This will be a serious setback to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s desire for the health sector.”

She said that VNDC believes that vaccines save lives and money, and is one of the critical tools to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Immunisation Agenda 2030.

She appreciated President Tinubu for improved budgetary allocation to the health sector in the 2024 budget as evidenced in the allocation of funds to vital immunisation and other programmes.

“The proactive measures taken, including the introduction of new vaccines such as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Rotavirus vaccines, reflect a forward-thinking approach to disease prevention and could significantly contribute to enhancing the nation’s healthcare landscape.

“In addition, looking at the 2024 proposed budget, Nigeria has also increased the immunisation budget from N69bn in 2023 to N137.21bn in 2024.” (Daily Sun)

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