Current Nigerian Child Immunization Schedule

Immunization remains the safest and most effective way of protecting children against diseases. It also helps to control the spread of communicable diseases. For this reason, new parents or parents-to-be always wish to stay up-to-date with the current Nigerian child immunization schedule.

Immunization and vaccination are often used interchangeably because they mean the same thing. Vaccines are basically weakened forms of the bacteria and viruses that cause diseases; which when introduced into the body, stimulates the immune system to build up antibodies that can fight off these diseases in the future.

According to The Nigerian Ministry of Health, a child is considered fully immunized if he has received a BCG vaccination against tuberculosis; three doses of DPT to prevent diphtheria, pertussis (whooping-cough), and tetanus; at least three doses of polio vaccine; and one dose of measles vaccine.

These vaccinations are to be received during the first year of life, over a course of five visits, including the doses delivered at birth.

The table below shows the vaccines that are routinely given to children in Nigeria, the corresponding ages at which they are meant to be given, and the diseases they protect against.

The Nigerian Child Immunization/Vaccination Schedule

To help you keep track of your child’s immunization, a health card is given to you in which is recorded the vaccine doses your child has received. It is important that your child does not miss a dose of his vaccination, unless medically advised. Immunization is given free of charge in all government facilities, except for rotavirus vaccine, which is not yet available for free from the government.

A word about the Rotavirus vaccine

The rotavirus vaccine is a live vaccine given orally. This will be passed through your child’s gut into their nappies for about 3 weeks. For this reason, high hygiene and washing of hands is very important after changing nappies. Also people who are receiving treatment or suffering from a condition which weakens the immune system are advised to maintain good personal hygiene around babies who have had this vaccine. For the best protection in children the first and second dose of rotavirus vaccines are given one month apart.

What diseases do these vaccines protect my child against?

• Diphtheria
  Diphtheria is a disease which can cause heart problems and damage the nervous system, and can lead to death in extreme cases. The symptoms include a thick covering at the back of the throat which can make it difficult to breathe, sore throat, fever and chills.
• Tetanus (also known as Lockjaw)
  Tetanus is a disease caused when germs in the soil find their way into the body through cuts and wounds. It is a disease that affects the nervous system, leading to uncontrollable spasms of the jaw ( making it difficult to open the mouth or swallow), breathing problems and can result to death.
• Pertussis (or Whooping Cough)
  Pertussis is a disease that can lead to pneumonia, seizures and brain damage. The symptoms include violent coughing spells that can make it hard for a baby to eat, drink, or breathe. The spells can last for a week.
• Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
  Hib is a bacterial infection which can lead to meningitis (an infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings), pnuemonia, infection of the blood(septicaemia), joints, bones, and coverings of the heart. Hib also leads to brain damage and deafness.
• Hepatitis B
  Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver, caused by a virus. It can lead to Liver damage and Liver cancer. The symptoms include tiredness, diarrhea and vomiting, jaundice, and pain in the muscles, joints, and stomach. In most cases, there may be no symptoms at all.
• Polio
  Polio is a virus that affects the nervous system. It can lead to paralysis (inability to move an arm or leg).  It is contracted by consumption of food or water contaminated with the virus, or  by direct contact with an infected person’s faeces or saliva. The symptoms include flu-like illness, or there may be no symptoms at all.
• Pneumococcal Disease
  Pneumococcal disease is one of the leading causes of meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings). It can also cause blood infections, ear infections, pnuemonia, deafness, and brain damage.
• Rotavirus
  Rotavirus is a virus which can lead to dehydration (loss of body fluids) and hospitalization. The symptoms include watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach pain. The rotavirus vaccine is a live vaccine
• Measles
  Measles is a highly infectious viral infection. It is one of the leading causes of death in children. The symptoms include high fever of up to 40°C, cough, runny nose, red sore eyes, small white spots known as kopliks’s spots inside the mouth, and full body rash.
• Rubella (German measles)
  Rubella also known as German measles, is a viral infection which causes a mild illness with symptoms such as low-grade fever, itchy body rash that starts from the face and spreads to other parts of the body, and sore throat. It can lead to a miscarriage or cause birth defects in babies when a pregnant woman contracts it.
• Mumps  
  Mumps is a highly infectious viral infection. The initial symptoms are fever, headache, and muscle ache. These are then followed by the most apparent symptom – painful swelling of the parotid glands (salivary glands) located on the sides of the face under the ears.
• Yellow fever
  Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. This illness is commonly found in tropical and subtropical parts of Africa and South America. The initial symptoms include high fever, headache, vomiting, loss of appetite, and muscle aches. After some days, it can result in kidney failure, jaundice and bleeding from the eyes, mouth, nose, and stomach.
• Typhoid fever
  This is a bacterial infection caused by the salmonella bacteria. It is commonly found in places with poor hygiene and clean water supply. It can damage organs and is fatal if left untreated. The symptoms include headaches, skin rash, high fever, fatigue, abdominal pains, and constipation.
• Chicken pox
  A highly contagious mild disease which results in small itchy blisters all over the body. Other symptoms include fever, headache, and fatigue. In more severe cases, it can result in pneumonia, and inflammation of the brain.