The Vaccine Network for Disease Control has called for urgent action to streamline the immunisation budget release process.

This is to address Nigeria’s staggering number of zero-dose children, estimated to be the highest globally. Chika Nwankwo, VNDC’s head of programmes, said this on Tuesday in Abuja during a capacity-building workshop.

Ms Nwankwo decried the bureaucratic delays hampering immunisation efforts.

She said the current fund release process involved up to 27 steps, with the Ministry of Finance alone responsible for 20 steps.

“This lengthy process causes unnecessary delays, preventing vaccines from reaching underserved areas where they are needed most. Without timely funding, we cannot reduce the number of zero-dose children,” she said.

While acknowledging that there has been progress under the current administration, she said that only 25 per cent of the 2024 immunisation budget had been released so far.

“We must push for full and timely releases to ensure that every Nigerian child is protected against preventable diseases,” she said.

Nwankwo urged stakeholders, particularly the finance and health ministries, to streamline the budget release process.

“Our goal for 2024 is full, timely fund releases,” she said.

She added that achieving this would help to protect every child in Nigeria from vaccine-preventable diseases.

“The call for improved vaccination financing reflects the urgent need to address Nigeria’s immunisation gaps and reduce the burden of zero-dose children. The VNDC reaffirms its commitment to working with the media and policymakers to ensure that vaccines reach every child, no matter their location,” she said.

(NAN)