Abuja: The Authority of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to enforce strict compliance with child immunization requirements across all public and private schools within the nation’s capital, Abuja. The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the measures taken by the administration to ensure each child within the vaccination age is vaccinated.
According to Voice of Nigeria, the Secretary warned that defaulters will face sanctions under existing public health and education regulations. She emphasized that the enforcement drive aligns with provisions of the Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003, which mandates full immunization as a legal obligation for every child. Dr. Fasawe stated, “Denying a child access to vaccination is not merely an administrative lapse; it is a violation of a fundamental child right.” Sections 13 and 14 of the CRA place a clear responsibility on parents, guardians, and institutions to ensure no child is left unprotected from preventable diseases.
Dr. Fasawe further explained that the decision follows reports that several schools refused access to vaccination teams during the ongoing Measles-Rubella (MR) campaign, disrupting field activities and denying many eligible pupils vital protection. She commended the progress made in the vaccination exercise, which has successfully covered most of the target population through the combined efforts of the FCTA, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and development partners. The FCT introduced an innovative approach to drive uptake by linking immunization to health insurance enrollment.
The FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) supported over 600 vaccination teams across the six area councils with reflective jackets and logistical backing. However, to address the issue of non-compliance, Dr. Fasawe mentioned that the secretariat has compiled a list of erring schools and initiated targeted advocacy and sensitization efforts. She noted that letters have been issued to affected institutions, and a three-day mop-up campaign involving 132 vaccination teams will be conducted to reach unvaccinated children.
The FCTA has approved new directives requiring mandatory immunization verification for admission, re-admission, and transfer of pupils, maintenance of child health registers in all schools, collaboration with nearby Primary Health Centres (PHCs) for on-site vaccination sessions, regular immunization awareness at assemblies and PTA meetings, and monthly compliance reports to be submitted through the Education Secretariat to the Health Secretariat. Dr. Fasawe acknowledged the cooperation of Stella Maris School, Abuja, for setting a positive example by supporting vaccination teams during the campaign and appealed to other school owners and parents to emulate such compliance.
FCT Mandate Secretary for Women Affairs, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, also spoke, appealing to parents, school heads, and community leaders to support the campaign, stressing that vaccines are certified and safe. She stated, “These vaccines will not kill our children. We must take ownership of the future of our children and the legacy of this government by ensuring every child is protected.”
Earlier, the Director of Disease Control and Immunization at the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Rufai Ahmed, described the refusal of vaccines as a dangerous act that endangers society. He said, “In my opinion, it is a crime to deny a child immunization whether by a parent, teacher, or caregiver. Without vaccines, hospitals will be overwhelmed and families will face avoidable health crises and financial burden.” Dr. Ahmed noted that Nigeria has over three decades of experience delivering immunization services and is targeting millions of children nationwide, including those in the FCT. He urged citizens to trust scientific evidence and learn from the successful eradication of diseases like smallpox.