More than 33 million vaccine doses and 20 million units of materials for injections are to be distributed to all 36 states and the FCT by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

The vaccines target diphtheria, pertusis tetanus, hepatitis B, whooping cough, measles, yellow fever and poliomyelitis.

The agency said the release of the materials is in continued fulfillment of President Jonathan's commitment for "sustained routine immunization to improve maternal and child" health across the country.

The Administration's "approval and release of funds for vaccine procurement and free distribution to all states [is] to save lives and reduce morbidity and mortality attributable to vaccine preventable diseases," said the agency's executive director Dr Ado Muhammad.

State and local governments will be required to "make adequate arrangements" to ensure the vaccines are available in health facilities in their charge, including transfer, delivery and storage.

Ado urged for council chairmen to "buy into" efforts to stop polio transmission and ensure routine immunization is sustained throughout the country, with support from traditional institutions, civil society organizations and religious leaders.

He also called on parents to ensure their children get the vaccines.