Location, Accessibility and Socioeconomic Correlates of Child Immunisation Coverage in Nigeria

With its major target being the reduction of infant, child and maternal mortality, the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) is one of the largest social programmes in Nigeria. Since its introduction in Nigeria in 1979, the country’s target of achieving 90% child immunisation coverage has never been met. As Geography plays an important role in the utilisation of health services, including routine immunisation, this chapter discusses issues around the low coverage within the geographical ambits of location, accessibility and the population’s socioeconomic status. Rural-urban differentials, sub-national regional disparities, physical and financial accessibility as well as the role of other socio-demographic factors underlying child immunisation coverage in Nigeria are discussed. The study employed data from the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey as well as data from other secondary sources.