Routine immunization coverage now at 58%- NPHCDA boss

Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib has disclosed that the National Routine Immunization coverage has risen up to 58 per cent.

Shuaib disclosed this at the NPHCDA National Emergency Routine Immunization Coordination Centers (NERICC) engagement workshop with low performing local government areas in Kaduna yesterday, adding that available immunization coverage data shows that, the coverage rose from the initial 30 per cent to 58 per cent at the end of third quarter this year.

While noting that the agency recorded eight percent average annual increase in routine immunization coverage across the country between 2016 to date, he said the engagement between low performing LGAs and high performing ones was part of the sustained effort to completely eradicate polio in the country within the targeted period.

According to him, if the positive trajectory continues in the next eight months, and with access to some of the areas in the Northeast, Nigeria will be declared polio free.

He further disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari will soon launch the National Primary Health Care Fund which he assured would be another milestone to boosting health care service to mothers and children under five.