The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has disclosed that 68 per cent of confirmed diphtheria cases recorded in available data involved people who were not vaccinated against the disease.
Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable infectious disease that can cause severe illness and potentially lead to death, particularly when treatment is delayed.
The NCDC’s disclosure highlights the continued importance of routine immunisation and other preventive measures in reducing the spread and impact of the disease across Nigeria.
According to the available data, the overwhelming proportion of confirmed cases among unvaccinated people underscores the role vaccination plays in protecting individuals and communities from diphtheria.
Health authorities have consistently encouraged parents and caregivers to ensure that children receive recommended routine vaccines as part of efforts to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases.
The development also reinforces concerns about gaps in immunisation coverage, as unvaccinated individuals remain more vulnerable to diseases that can largely be prevented through timely vaccination.
The NCDC has continued to urge Nigerians to take preventive health measures seriously and seek medical attention promptly when symptoms associated with diphtheria or other infectious diseases emerge.
The agency’s latest figure serves as another reminder that vaccination is not only a personal health measure but also an important tool for reducing transmission and protecting vulnerable members of society.
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