This article is general information, not medical advice. Schedules can be updated, and some vaccines are only offered in certain states. Always follow the schedule on your child’s immunisation card and the advice of your health worker.
Nigeria’s routine childhood vaccines are free at government Primary Health Care (PHC) centres and many public hospitals. Through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), with support from WHO, UNICEF and Gavi, the national programme protects children against more than a dozen serious diseases, according to the WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Yet many Nigerian children still miss doses. This guide sets out the Nigeria immunisation schedule in plain language, so you know what is due and when.
The Nigeria routine immunisation schedule at a glance
| Age | Vaccines | Protects against |
|---|---|---|
| At birth | BCG, OPV 0, Hepatitis B (birth dose) | Tuberculosis, polio, hepatitis B |
| 6 weeks | Pentavalent 1, PCV 1, OPV 1, Rotavirus 1 | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, Hib, pneumonia and meningitis (pneumococcal), polio, rotavirus diarrhoea |
| 10 weeks | Pentavalent 2, PCV 2, OPV 2, Rotavirus 2 | As above |
| 14 weeks | Pentavalent 3, PCV 3, OPV 3, Rotavirus 3, IPV | As above, plus extra polio protection |
| 9 months | Measles 1, Yellow fever, Meningitis A | Measles, yellow fever, meningococcal meningitis |
| 15 months | Measles 2 | Measles (second dose for full protection) |
Rotavirus vaccine, the newest addition to the infant schedule, is given by mouth alongside other vaccines at 6, 10 and 14 weeks, according to WHO Africa. The same source describes nine-month-old children receiving meningitis, yellow fever and first-dose measles vaccines together.
What each vaccine does
- BCG: protects babies against severe forms of tuberculosis. It usually leaves a small scar on the arm.
- OPV and IPV (polio): oral drops and an injection that together protect against polio.
- Hepatitis B: protects against a liver infection that can be passed from mother to baby at birth.
- Pentavalent: one injection that protects against five diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
- PCV (pneumococcal): protects against a major cause of pneumonia and meningitis in young children.
- Rotavirus: oral drops that protect against severe diarrhoea.
- Measles: two doses give strong protection against a highly contagious and sometimes deadly disease.
- Yellow fever: a single dose gives lifelong protection.
- Meningitis A: protects against a type of meningitis common in Nigeria’s meningitis belt.
Newer vaccines: malaria and HPV
Malaria vaccine (R21)
Nigeria began rolling out the R21 malaria vaccine in December 2024, starting in Kebbi and Bayelsa states, with expansion to more states since. According to Gavi, it is given as a four-dose series starting from five months of age. Ask your PHC centre whether it is offered in your state.
HPV vaccine
Since October 2023, the HPV vaccine has been part of Nigeria’s routine schedule for girls aged 9 to 14. It protects against the virus that causes most cervical cancers. It is given at health facilities and through school programmes.
Vitamin A supplements
Many PHC centres also give vitamin A supplements to children from 6 months of age, usually every six months, to support immunity and eye health. Ask your health worker when your child is due.
Practical tips for parents
- Keep the immunisation card safe. Take it to every clinic visit and take a photo of it on your phone.
- Do not skip a visit because your child has a mild cold. Tell the health worker how your child is and let them decide.
- Missed a dose? Do not start again. Go to your PHC centre and ask about catch-up doses.
- Expect mild side effects such as a sore leg or arm, mild fever or fussiness for a day or two.
- Vaccines on the national schedule are free. If you are asked to pay for routine vaccines at a government facility, ask why.
When to seek help after vaccination
Go back to the clinic or seek medical care if your child has a high fever, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, persistent crying for several hours, seizures or unusual drowsiness.
Frequently asked questions
Are vaccines free in Nigeria?
Yes. Routine childhood vaccines on the national schedule are free at government Primary Health Care centres and public hospitals.
What vaccines are given at 9 months in Nigeria?
At nine months, children usually receive the first dose of measles vaccine, yellow fever vaccine and meningitis A vaccine.
What if my child missed a vaccine?
Visit your Primary Health Care centre with the child’s card. Health workers can give catch-up doses without restarting the schedule.
Sources
- WHO Regional Office for Africa: Nigeria steps up measures to reach eligible children with potent vaccines
- Gavi: Nigeria’s first malaria vaccine roll-out
- National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA)
- WHO: Recommendations for routine immunization
Keep reading
- Diarrhoea and cholera in children: symptoms, ORS and when to get help
- Childhood vaccinations in Africa: what every parent should know
- Common childhood illnesses in Africa: prevention and when to see a doctor
More child and family health guides in our Health section.
Featured image: Photo by Khaya Motsa on Pexels.
