The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) has entered a strategic alliance with the GSK Global Team and Save the Children International to escalate the BOOST Project, a targeted initiative designed to drastically reduce the number of zero-dose and under-immunized children across the state.
During a high-level engagement held recently in Lagos, stakeholders gathered to refine strategies for expanding vaccine access, particularly within underserved and hard-to-reach communities, while driving a surge in community demand for life-saving immunizations.
Addressing the Zero-Dose Challenge
Leading the discussions, the Permanent Secretary of the LSPHCB, Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, provided a sobering analysis of the state’s current immunization landscape. He identified urban slums, migratory populations, and vaccine hesitancy as the primary drivers behind the high volume of zero-dose children—those who have not received a single dose of basic vaccines.
“Our focus is on closing the gaps created by rapid urbanization and data inaccuracies. We are committed to reducing immunization inequities and ensuring every child, regardless of their location in Lagos, is protected against preventable diseases,” Dr. Mustafa stated.
Strategic Interventions and Global Support
Representatives from the partner organizations, including Mrs. Ella Nwaokolo of the GSK Global Team and Duncan Harvey of Save the Children International Nigeria, reaffirmed their dedication to the BOOST Project. The partnership will prioritize data-driven tracking to locate unvaccinated children and enhance the capacity of healthcare workers on the front lines.
The collaborative framework focuses on five critical pillars:
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Strengthening routine immunization systems to ensure consistency.
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Aggressive community engagement to combat misinformation and generate demand.
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Capacity building for state health personnel.
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Digitalized tracking of zero-dose children to ensure follow-up.
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Strategic logistics to improve vaccine uptake in high-density areas.
A Roadmap for Sustainable Coverage
The meeting concluded with a formal agreement to maintain ongoing technical engagements to ensure the successful rollout of the BOOST Project. By aligning international investment with local expertise, the LSPHCB aims to create a sustainable model for vaccine equity that can be replicated across all Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The Lagos State Government reaffirmed that this partnership is a vital component of its broader health agenda to secure the wellbeing of the next generation and eliminate the threat of vaccine-preventable outbreaks in Nigeria’s most populous city.
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