The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has appealed to schools to grant vaccination teams full access during immunization exercises, stressing that denying children vaccines violates their fundamental rights under the Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003.
Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, who made the appeal during a press briefing in Abuja, said blocking vaccination teams puts children at risk and undermines public health investments.
“Every eligible child has a legal and moral right to be immunized. Denying vaccination is a breach of the Child Rights Act,” she said. “We are appealing to schools and parents to support this life-saving exercise.”
Fasawe encouraged school leaders, parents and caregivers to take up their shared responsibility:
“Immunization saves lives. It is a collective duty and a moral obligation. No child in the FCT should be left unprotected.”
“Such actions undermine public health gains and put our children at unnecessary risk,” she said. “Every eligible child has a legal and moral right to be immunized. Denying vaccination is a breach of the Child Rights Act.”
Fasawe noted that the ongoing campaign has recorded huge success with most of the target population vaccinated, crediting collaboration between the FCTA, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and development partners.
She added that the FCTA introduced an innovation linking vaccination with access to the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS), which supported 600 vaccination teams across the six area councils.
To address the challenge of blocked access, Fasawe said the administration has: Compiled a list of non-compliant schools, Issued letters reminding them of their obligations, Conducted community sensitization; and Finalized a mop-up exercise involving 132 vaccination teams
The FCTA has now approved mandatory immunization checks for school admission, re-admission, and transfers. Schools are also required to maintain a Child Health Register, partner nearby PHCs for on-site vaccination, and submit monthly compliance reports.
“Failure to comply will attract administrative sanctions under existing regulations,” Fasawe stated.
She commended Stella Maris School, Abuja, for setting a positive example by welcoming vaccination officers without hesitation.
Fasawe concluded by urging parents, school proprietors and administrators to embrace their legal obligation.
“Immunization saves lives. It is a collective responsibility, a legal duty, and a moral imperative. Together, we can ensure no child in the FCT is denied protection from preventable diseases,” she said.
FCT Mandate Secretary for Women Affairs, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, urged communities to trust the safety of WHO-certified vaccines:
“These vaccines will not kill our children. We must protect their future.”
“These vaccines will not kill our children,” she said. “We must take ownership of the future of our children and the legacy of this government by ensuring every child is protected.”
Director of Disease Control and Immunization, Dr. Rufai Garba, appealed to parents and caregivers not to endanger society through vaccine refusal:
“Without vaccines, hospitals will be overwhelmed and families will face avoidable health crises and financial burdens.”
He reminded citizens that Nigeria’s decades of immunization success including the eradication of smallpox prove its effectiveness and safety.
