NJOMACS

The problem of vaccine hesitancy concerning immunisation has become a very serious one in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. However, Nigeria through the assistance of USAID, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, and WHO, among others, immense capacity has been demonstrated to reduce Vaccine-Preventable Deaths (VPDs) in children, especially among those under five years. But, there are still some grey areas in the country because of socio-cultural and religious factors. This paper discusses issues surrounding child immunisation and vaccine hesitancy, with particular focus on Nigeria. Furthermore, the author argues that since using the mass media alone cannot have the much –desired effects on reducing vaccine hesitancy, using evidence-based and research-driven model such as the “New P-Process Model” will contribute tremendously to behaviour change in terms of vaccine hesitancy. The “New P-Process Model”, a modification of the original one is a strategic communication intervention initiative on development and health-related issues. It has been used with varying degrees of success all over the world. The author discussed some critical issues that impinge on immunisation in Nigeria and recommended among others that, concerted efforts by the three tiers of government in Nigeria, multilateral agencies, international partners/donor agencies, as well as health communication experts should be made by incorporating the “New P-Process Model” in the child immunisation campaign in the country, in order to reduce vaccine hesitancy.