On 22nd December 2014 the Government of Nigeria joined other African countries to launch a new vaccine - Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV10) as part of its Routine Immunization schedule. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 10 (PCV10), is a vaccine that prevents diseases caused by the pneumococcal bacteria.

WHO estimates that over 800,000 children under 5 years of age die from pneumococcal diseases each year with those less than 2 years of age mostly affected, especially in developing countries. In Nigeria, Pneumonia claims the lives of approximately 177,000 under-5 children annually, these accounts for 16% of all deaths within this age group.

The introduction of PCV10 into the country’s EPI schedule will ultimately improve health outcome of the country and accelerate the progress towards achieving the MDG goals.

PCV 10 Vaccine Launch

Representing the Governor of Kogi State, the Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi described the event as the historic stating that the introduction of the vaccine is a welcoming reprieve for it will help to reduce the number of pneumonia cases in the country. The Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Muhammad, underscored the importance of introducing new vaccines in reducing childhood mortality and morbidity.

Nigeria’s launch of the new vaccine marks a new milestone in a global initiative to reach children in developing countries with vaccines against the leading childhood killers.  Representing the WHO Country Rep, Dr Rui Gama Vaz , Kogi State WHO Coordinator revealed the contributions of WHO  which include supporting the training of personnel,  assessment of the country’s readiness  for the introduction of the new vaccines and roll out.  

It is expected that eleven (11) states including Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau, Kogi, Anambra, Ebonyi, Ondo and Osun, Edo, Adamawa and Yobe States will introduce the new vaccine in their Routine Immunization schedule. 

The event was witnessed by various development partners, national and state authorities, traditional leaders, CSOs and NGOs.