Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) Immunization Guidelines: An Update (2023)

Abstract

Immunisation is one of the cost-effective public health interventions targeted to prevent up to four million deaths annually.1,2 Despite the achievements that accrue to immunisation, many children do not receive their requisite vaccinations. Therefore, vaccine-preventable diseases remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. In Nigeria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, meningitis, measles and pertussis contributed to 40% of under-five mortality in 2019.3 Of 5.2million global under-five deaths in
2021, Nigeria contributed the largest number of fatalities - 850,000.4 Although Nigeria has made some progress in the reduction of under-five, infant and neonatal mortalities, these statistics do not compare favourably with global, African and indeed the Sustainable Development Goal target for 2030 (Table I).