Reps demand mandatory diphtheria vaccination nationwide

The House of Representatives has mandated the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to enforce compulsory diphtheria immunisation, testing, and treatment in all 774 local government areas across the country.

This directive followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Kwamoti Bitrus Laori.

The House also called on the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to intensify public sensitisation campaigns on diphtheria’s symptoms, transmission methods, and dangers, with the aim of curbing further outbreaks and fatalities.

Laori described diphtheria as a serious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium species, which became a major public health concern after the first recorded outbreak in Borno State in 2011 claimed 21 lives.

He warned that the current resurgence poses a severe threat to Nigeria’s already overstretched healthcare system.

He noted that the disease, which affects the nose, throat, skin, and sometimes the heart, is transmitted through respiratory droplets, contaminated objects, and unhygienic, overcrowded environments.

This makes children and individuals with weakened immune systems particularly vulnerable.

While diphtheria has been virtually eradicated in countries with high vaccination coverage such as the U.S. and much of Europe, Laori said the disease continues to thrive in Africa due to low immunisation rates.

In contrast to Nigeria’s alarming statistics, countries like Niger, Gabon, and Mauritania have managed recent outbreaks with limited fatalities thanks to robust vaccination programmes, timely detection, and availability of treatment.

In Nigeria, between May 2022 and February 2025, a total of 41,978 suspected diphtheria cases were reported across several states, including Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Katsina. Kano and Yobe recorded the highest figures with 24,062 and 5,330 cases respectively.

Alarmingly, most affected individuals were children aged 1–14, with only 19.7% fully vaccinated. The outbreaks led to 1,279 deaths within the period.

Laori warned that unless urgent action is taken to improve vaccination rates, ensure timely diagnosis and treatment, and make antitoxins readily available, the epidemic could worsen and spread beyond the currently affected states.

The House has also tasked its Committees on Health and Health Institutions with monitoring compliance and assessing the readiness of health centres to respond to the crisis.

The Star