Immunization plays a vital role in protecting children from life-threatening diseases. Vaccines have been proven one of the most effective public health interventions, as they save millions of lives each year. In Nigeria, immunization is critical, given that the country is still grappling with significant health challenges. Therefore, parents must be aware of Nigeria’s immunization schedule to ensure that their children are adequately protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Nigeria’s immunization schedule outlines the vaccines that children should receive at specific ages. The schedule follows the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations, and it is divided into three phases: the first year of life, school age, and adolescence.
Phase 1: First Year of Life
In the first year of life, children are particularly vulnerable to infections. Hence, the recommended vaccines in Nigeria’s immunization schedule during this phase are crucial.
At birth, babies should receive the first dose of the BCG vaccine, which protects them against tuberculosis. Similarly, they should receive the first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine within twenty-four hours after birth. The second and third doses are given at six weeks and fourteen weeks of age, respectively.
At six weeks of age, children should receive the first dose of the Pentavalent vaccine, which protects against five childhood diseases- diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib). The second and third doses of the Pentavalent vaccine are given at ten and fourteen weeks of age, respectively.
The Polio vaccine is also administered in three doses at six, ten, and fourteen weeks of age.
Phase 2: School Age
During this phase, children should receive the following vaccines:
Yellow Fever vaccine- given at nine months of age, and a booster dose at four years of age.
Measles vaccine- given at nine months of age, and a second dose at fifteen months of age.
Phase 3: Adolescence
At adolescence, children are at risk of contracting meningitis. The Meningococcal vaccine is, therefore, recommended at ten years of age, with a booster dose at sixteen years of age.
In conclusion, it is crucial for parents to adhere to Nigeria’s immunization schedule to protect their children against life-threatening diseases. Additionally, parents should maintain accurate immunization records, ensuring that their children receive all the recommended vaccines at the appropriate ages. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.
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