Kwara Records Gains in Child Vaccination, Nutrition

Kwara State has recorded improvements in childhood immunisation and nutrition, with more children receiving essential vaccines and fewer experiencing growth-related problems, according to the 2025–2026 Nigeria Mini-Demographic and Health Survey.

The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Professor Nusirat Elelu, disclosed the findings in a statement issued on Wednesday by the agency’s Press Secretary, Bukola Abdulganiyu.

The survey, released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, showed that the proportion of children aged 12 to 23 months who received the third dose of the pentavalent vaccine increased from 34.9 per cent in 2024 to 50.4 per cent in 2025–2026.

It also revealed that the proportion of children who had received no vaccines declined from 48.1 per cent to 27.3 per cent during the period.

Elelu described the figures as encouraging indicators of progress in child healthcare, attributing the improvements to investments in primary healthcare services and nutrition interventions by the state government.

The pentavalent vaccine is administered at six, 10 and 14 weeks of age and protects children against five diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.

Elelu said the increase in vaccination coverage demonstrated the importance of routine immunisation in preventing avoidable childhood illnesses and promoting healthy development.

The survey also recorded improvements in three key indicators of malnutrition among children under five in the state.

Stunting declined from 40.8 per cent to 35.5 per cent, while wasting fell from 6.1 per cent to 3.5 per cent. The proportion of children classified as underweight also dropped from 24.5 per cent to 14.8 per cent.

Stunting reflects impaired growth associated with prolonged or recurrent undernutrition, while wasting indicates low weight relative to height and is often linked to acute malnutrition. Underweight refers to low weight for a child's age.

Elelu described the changes in the nutrition indicators as among the most significant improvements recorded in the state in recent years.

She said the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had invested in nutrition-sensitive interventions at primary healthcare facilities and the biannual Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week.

According to her, the initiatives were contributing to efforts to improve child survival, growth and overall wellbeing.

Despite the progress, the latest figures indicate that 35.5 per cent of children under five in Kwara remain affected by stunting, while 27.3 per cent of children aged 12 to 23 months had received no vaccines.

The figures highlight the need to sustain interventions and expand access to healthcare, particularly for children in vulnerable communities.

The agency said it would continue strengthening routine and outreach immunisation, community mobilisation, nutrition services and growth monitoring to reach more families.

Elelu urged parents and caregivers to take their children to the nearest primary healthcare centre for free routine immunisation, keep vaccination cards updated and participate in community outreach programmes.

She also encouraged families to monitor their children's growth regularly, adding that the agency would continue working with healthcare workers, development partners, community leaders and families to consolidate the gains recorded.