Ensuring that all children receive the immunizations they need must be a responsibility shared by public authorities, public health agencies, private health care providers, payers, families, and the entire community. The unsatisfactory levels of immunization across Nigeria suggest that the separate parties have not been able to work together effectively to meet that responsibility.

Stronger leadership must be exercised at the federal, state, and local levels and in the public and private sectors to build a comprehensive and collaborative primary care system that can improve the delivery of immunization services. During the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, which NSSF supported, coordination structures and feedback mechanisms were leveraged. In addition, accountability in implementation was monitored, which ultimately improved vaccine coverage across the nation. While this was a campaign and is not an ongoing activity like the routine immunization program, the structures that were put in place can be repurposed and reinforced for routine immunizations.

This discussion will explore the importance of strong and credible leadership in driving the uptake of routine immunizations in Nigeria.