The Nigerian Government and partners implemented major improvements in the Vaccine distribution system which resulted in somewhat improved RI coverage rates. However, Nigeria was falling short of its national coverage targets and global benchmarks for immunization. The country’s vaccine coverage rate is among the lowest in the world. While there was frequent “stock out” of vaccines, the increasing national DPT3 rates were still plagued by significant heterogeneity among states. Additionally, the death of children under five (5) in Nigeria remained among the highest in the world.

Determining and clearly defining the key strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats facing the system will be a driving factor in making major strides in improving RI coverage rates.

To combat these challenges, Solina Health in conjunction with NPHCDA carried out a study of the vaccine landscape in the country to clearly define constraints and determinants of the vaccine distribution system, and propose potential effective solutions to the impending problems. To achieve this, the team performed a thorough analysis of the Nigerian routine immunization landscape through the analysis of national immunization data, the conduct of interviews with local and experts and the facilitation of focus groups discussion with key stakeholders in the immunization system.

Following the analysis of the study conducted, the team discovered short and medium-term strategies which will significantly improve the system and increase the uptake of routine immunization. Our team itemised “Six Interventions Packages” targeted towards high-priority barriers to a good vaccine distribution system with feasible interventions.

Additionally, our team determined the ease of implementation of these strategies and weighed them against the potential impacts they would have.