The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Oyo State Chapter, in partnership with the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board (OYSPHCB) and Population Services International (PSI) Nigeria, has flagged off the nation’s first Pharmacy-Based Immunisation Delivery (PBID).
The historic launch, held on 22 September 2025 at Vanguard Pharmacy, Akobo, Ibadan, marks the beginning of a new phase in Nigeria’s immunisation strategy, with Oyo State blazing the trail for nationwide implementation.
Speaking at the flag-off, Chairman of ACPN (Oyo State Branch), Pharm. Adebayo Gbadamosi, said the initiative would bring vaccines closer to the people by leveraging community pharmacies as accessible immunisation points.
“In every community you go to, you see a pharmacy. By bringing immunisation into the pharmacy, everyone will have easier access — at convenient times and closer to home — instead of travelling to a general hospital that offers vaccines only on specific days,” he said.
Gbadamosi disclosed that the pilot will begin with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, targeted at children from age 13 as part of the Ministry of Health’s cervical cancer prevention programme. He stressed that vaccination is preventive health and urged parents not to discourage their children, especially teenage girls, from accessing HPV vaccines.
“If we equip our children before they become sexually active, we can prevent cervical cancer later in life, reduce morbidity and mortality, and improve reproductive health outcomes. Vaccination is safe; side effects are typically manageable and much less harmful than the diseases they prevent,” he added.
The ACPN chair listed 10 pharmacies participating in the first phase, including Supermax Pharmacy, Tulip Pharmacy, Hamygdalin Pharmacy, Alsoat Pharmacy, Fovic Pharmacy, Robakeye Pharmacy, Vanguard Pharmacy, BM Amazing Care Pharmacy, Finrel Pharmacy, and Jolat Pharmacy.
Also speaking, PSI Nigeria Country Manager for the programme, Dr Adebayo Adebisi, explained that the pilot will cover nine of the eleven local government areas in Ibadan, with trained assistants and community mobilisers working together to create demand and deliver services.
“All documentation and reporting will follow government protocols. We are replicating the same standards used in government facilities, and we will report data back to government for review. Monitoring visits will be supportive supervision — to guide and provide on-the-job training, not punitive inspections,” he said.
Founder and CEO of Vanguard Pharmacy, Pharm. Taofiq Odukoya, noted that the organisation had vaccinated thousands during the COVID-19 campaign and was well-prepared for the PBID pilot.
“Our motivation is impact, not profit. The service is designed to be free to patients, with PSI supporting pharmacies for professional services. If this pilot succeeds, we hope it will be scaled across the state and beyond,” Odukoya said.
Representing the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Adeyemi Adewole said the initiative had been carefully planned to ensure safety and compliance.
“Immunisation is central to primary health care; it forms the bedrock of preventive services. Select pharmacies were chosen on the basis of capacity and compliance so that standards are maintained. By bringing vaccination nearer to the people, access will improve and public-health outcomes should follow,” he noted.
The event drew participation from stakeholders across the Ministry of Health, primary health centres, community pharmacies, and professional associations.
According to Adewole, who represented the executive secretary, Dr Muideen Olatunji, “With Oyo State taking the lead, the Pharmacy-Based Immunisation Delivery scheme is expected to be scaled nationwide in phases, expanding Nigeria’s immunisation coverage and strengthening preventive healthcare”.
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