Introduction: Immunization remains one of the most cost effective and efficient public health interventions used in the control and prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs), thereby reducing childhood morbidity and mortality. Despite its availability and accessibility due to the investment made by the Nigerian Government and other international organizations, immunization coverage continues to remain below the national coverage in some Northern States in Nigeria. This paper investigates the barriers to immunization in Yobe State, which is among the states with lowest immunization coverage in the country.
Method: A cross -sectional study using mixed method research which comprises of household survey, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant interviews (KIIs) were carried out in the study. Using a multi- stage sampling technique, Local Government Areas, Wards, and households were selected and a total of 439 respondents were recruited for the quantitative phase of the study and data were obtained using structured questionnaires. Parents and caregivers were purposively selected for FGDs while religious leaders, community leaders and healthcare workers were selected for the Key Informant Interviews. Quantitative data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 26, while qualitative data were analyzed using Delve software for qualitative data Analysis.
Results: Findings of the study show that barriers such as lack of knowledge and awareness about immunization, fear of side effects, family opposition and religious and cultural beliefs are the reasons why many parents and caregivers are not immunizing their children in the study areas. Other barriers such as lack of health facilities, transportation cost and past negative experience are also identified in the study.
Conclusion: Findings in the study showed the need for innovative strategies for creating awareness and educating parents and caregivers on the importance and benefits of immunization and collaboration between community leaders, religious leaders, and other stakeholders towards addressing the identified barriers to improve immunization uptake and coverage in the study areas.