title: Current trends of immunization in Nigeria: prospect and challenges.
abstract: Immunization is aimed at the prevention of infectious diseases. In Nigeria, the National Programme on Immunization (NPI) suffers recurrent setbacks due to many factors including ethnicity and religious beliefs. Nigeria is made up of 36 states with its federal capital in Abuja. The country is divided into six geo-political zones; north central, north west, north east, south east, south west and south south. The population is unevenly distributed across the country. The average population density in 2006 was estimated at 150 people per square kilometres with Lagos, Anambra, Imo, Abia, and Akwa Ibom being the most densely populated states. Most of the densely populated states are found in the south east. Kano with an average density of 442 persons per square kilometre, is the most densely populated state in the northern part of the country. This study presents a review on the current immunization programme and the many challenges affecting its success in the eradication of childhood diseases in Nigeria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology (Immunology unit), Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin , PMB 1154 Ugbowo, Benin City, Edo State Nigeria ; Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Novena University , PMB 2 Ogume, Delta State Nigeria.
authors.forename: Endurance A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ophori
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology (Immunology unit), Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin , PMB 1154 Ugbowo, Benin City, Edo State Nigeria.
authors.forename: Musa Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Tula
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology (Immunology unit), Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin , PMB 1154 Ugbowo, Benin City, Edo State Nigeria.
authors.forename: Azuka V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Azih
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology (Immunology unit), Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin , PMB 1154 Ugbowo, Benin City, Edo State Nigeria.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Okojie
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology (Immunology unit), Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin , PMB 1154 Ugbowo, Benin City, Edo State Nigeria.
authors.forename: Precious E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Ikpo
keywords: Nigeria; childhood diseases; immunization; religious and ethnic beliefs