Vaccines won’t save lives in isolation; societal members must play their roles, especially parents.
Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools for preventing infectious diseases in children, and in Nigeria, parental involvement is essential in making sure their children are fully immunized. Parents hold the responsibility of safeguarding their children from deadly diseases by adhering to a recommended vaccination schedule, from birth until they no longer need vaccines. In a country where preventable diseases such as polio, hepatitis B, and measles are still prevalent, parental commitment is vital to achieving the goals of national immunization programs.
So far, so good
In Nigeria, immunization efforts have made remarkable progress over the years, particularly with the success of polio eradication. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the country was declared free from wild poliovirus in 2020 after a long battle, underscoring the impact of vaccination campaigns. However, despite this progress, challenges persist, and parents must continue to play an active role in ensuring children receive other crucial vaccines. Reports from the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health indicate that only about 57% of children are fully immunized, with many missing out on essential vaccines due to parental neglect, misinformation, or logistical challenges.
Why Parents must knuckle down on the task
One of the primary responsibilities of parents is to follow the national immunization schedule, which outlines the appropriate vaccines for children at various stages of development. From birth, Nigerian children are recommended to receive the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis, the Hepatitis B vaccine, and oral polio vaccines. This schedule continues with doses of pentavalent vaccines, measles, and yellow fever vaccines.
According to UNICEF, this consistent immunization coverage helps protect children from 13 preventable diseases.
Parents must ensure that these vaccines are administered in a timely and complete manner to prevent gaps that could leave their child vulnerable.
Pregnant mothers also have a role in setting the foundation for immunization.
Medical practitioners like Dipo Alawe recommends that expectant mothers attend antenatal clinics to receive necessary supplements like folic acid and vitamins that strengthen both the mother’s and the baby’s immune system.
According to him: “Tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccines administered during pregnancy not only protect the mother from tetanus but also offer immunity to the newborn in the first few months of life.”
In another interview, a medical expert, Mrs Fisayo Oloyede who works in a medicare in aibadan, Oyo State, harped on the importance of parents being well-prepared before childbirth, including mapping out a vaccination plan for their baby.
Essentially, after birth, parental vigilance is essential in keeping up with the recommended immunization schedule. Often, parents may become lax after the first few doses or mistakenly believe that their child has completed immunization early.
The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Nigeria highlights that full immunization coverage includes vaccines given up until the child is around five years old. This period is critical for preventing outbreaks of diseases such as measles, which still account for high morbidity rates in certain regions. Parents who ensure their child receives all doses on time not only protect their children but also contribute to community immunity.
Moreover, misinformation about vaccines, including concerns about side effects, has been a significant obstacle in Nigeria’s immunization efforts. Health experts like Kunle Oloniyo at a Primary Healthcare center in Ogbomosho, stresses that parents must rely on credible information from health professionals and public health campaigns.
He says: “Vaccines are thoroughly tested for safety, and the benefits of immunization far outweigh the minimal risks of side effects.”
By staying informed and attending regular clinic visits, parents can prevent harmful myths from jeopardizing their children’s health.
Parental responsibility does not stop at immunizing their children alone; they also play a role in encouraging community-wide participation in vaccination programs. In rural areas of Nigeria, communal efforts in health outreach, supported by parental advocacy, have improved immunization rates. Encouraging other parents and caregivers to take their children to health centers can reduce the risk of disease outbreaks in entire communities. The World Bank reports that Nigeria’s immunization programs are more successful when communities actively engage and support one another in this endeavor.
Looking forward, the Nigerian government’s ongoing efforts to introduce more vaccines and expand access to rural areas will rely heavily on parents’ willingness to collaborate with health systems. For instance, with the recent introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine aimed at preventing cervical cancer, parents will play a crucial role in ensuring their daughters receive these life-saving doses. As the fight against preventable diseases continues, parents must remain proactive in seeking up-to-date information and ensuring their children benefit from new and existing vaccines.
In other words, thorough immunization is not just a recommendation but a parental obligation in Nigeria. By adhering to vaccination schedules, seeking credible health advice, and participating in community outreach, Nigerian parents can safeguard their children’s health and contribute to national and global public health goals.
As the country continues to battle preventable diseases, parents must stay committed to the immunization process, ensuring that their children grow up strong, healthy, and protected from avoidable illness.
