Niger is the first to enact a law that would prosecute parents, who deliberately denied their children access to immunization.

Any parent or caregiver, who prevents a child from receiving the polio vaccine, risks a two-year jail term, the Niger State Government said on Monday in Minna. Dr. Yahaya Na’uzo, the Executive Director of the state’s Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), made this known in an interview with the Newsmen. “`The law establishing the SPHCDA, specifically sections 23 to 28, has made the rejection of immunisation services a criminal offense. The passage of the Child Rights Act into law was also meant to protect the rights of the children and right to immunisation services.

“Other vaccinations will be administered against whooping cough, tetanus, pneumonia, yellow fever, measles and diphtheria for pregnant women,” he said.  Read more…