The African Field Epidemiology Network and Africa Health Budget Network have introduced a decentralised immunisation monitoring approach in Bauchi and Ganjuwa LGAs of Bauchi to strengthen routine immunisation.

Hassan Musa, the state focal person for Africa Health Budget Network, said this on Thursday in Bauchi.

He explained that the initiative, implemented through the Zero Dose Country Learning Hub, aimed to reduce the number of zero-dose children, those who had never received any routine vaccine.

Mr Musa said the approach involved continuous and timely collection of quantitative data from selected communities to support data-driven decision-making.

According to Mr Musa, the data will help document lessons, successes, and challenges, guiding the improvement of immunisation efforts.

“This strategy provides contextual information to better understand the factors that support or hinder routine immunisation and caregivers’ decisions,” he said.

He added that insights from the data would complement state efforts to expand vaccine coverage and enhance service delivery.

“By using evidence to inform interventions, we aim to close gaps, improve antigen coverage, and track key indicators more effectively,” he said.

Mr Musa noted that the decentralised model allowed for quicker responses to emerging issues and supported long-term strategies to reduce vaccine-preventable diseases in the state and beyond.

He added that the Zero Dose Learning Hub was part of a broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s immunisation system and ensure no child was left behind.

(NAN)