Lagos State has achieved significant progress in routine and HPV immunisation awareness and uptake through the Nigeria Vaccination Coverage (VaxSocial) initiative. The digital demand‑generation project reached 191,520 caregivers, supported 92,219 on their routine‑immunisation journey and guided 98,601 on their HPV‑vaccination journey, resulting in 3,900 immunisation‑related facility visits. Sponsored by Gavi and supported by Nivi Inc., in collaboration with Save the Children and the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the initiative aimed to reduce vaccine hesitancy and boost confidence in vaccination.
At the project’s close‑out ceremony, Programme Manager Dr. Felicia Mairiga noted that the initiative demonstrated the effectiveness of digital platforms in improving vaccination coverage. Its success was attributed to providing caregivers with accurate information and motivation to take action. The AskNivi platform, launched on WhatsApp, offered end‑to‑end encrypted and confidential chats, reaching over 71 million people and engaging 100,000 users. Although the platform was designed for English‑speaking individuals, users preferred communication in Yoruba, highlighting the need for linguistic diversity in digital health initiatives.
Key lessons learned include the importance of trust in digital health systems, the need for expanded funding for HPV vaccination, and the motivation and incentivisation of health workers. Recommendations also call for recruiting more frontline personnel and ensuring a consistent vaccine supply in primary health centres, so that no child or adolescent in Lagos misses vaccination due to misinformation or lack of access.
The project’s outcomes and lessons will inform future immunisation strategies in Lagos State and potentially other states in Nigeria. The VaxSocial initiative has paved the way for adopting digital platforms to support immunisation efforts, with the potential to improve vaccination coverage and reduce vaccine hesitancy. As the project concludes, its legacy will continue to help caregivers and families access accurate health information and vaccination services.
Comments are closed for this story.