The Lagos State Government says investigations into the death of twin infants following vaccination at a primary healthcare centre have found no link between the vaccines administered and the fatalities.
Dr. Ibrahim Mustafa, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), disclosed this in an interview with reporters on Sunday.
According to him, preliminary findings indicate that the vaccines given are not responsible for the babies’ deaths.
“We have conducted toxicology and post-mortem analyses, and so far, there is no evidence linking the outcome to the vaccines,” he said.
Mustafa noted that the affected children were among several who received doses from the same vaccine batch, none of whom experienced similar outcomes.
The permanent secretary acknowledged that adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) could occur, but stressed that such reactions are generally mild and temporary.
“These can include fever, irritability, or mild discomfort after vaccination. In most cases, these symptoms resolve quickly with basic care such as tepid sponging or use of paracetamol.”
Serious complications, particularly those resulting in death, he emphasized, are extremely rare.
Mustafa stressed that transparency is crucial to maintaining trust in immunisation programmes, especially in settings where misinformation could undermine vaccine uptake.
He also highlighted stringent regulatory processes governing vaccines in Nigeria, emphasizing that all vaccines undergo rigorous testing and approval by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) before use.
“There is no vaccine administered in this country that has not been certified safe and effective,” he said.
He added that any unsafe or substandard product would be detected and barred from use.
Mustafa further stated that both federal and state governments work closely to ensure only approved vaccines are distributed and administered nationwide.
He noted that routine immunisation services in Lagos are provided free of charge, as part of broader efforts to ensure equitable access and protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
The permanent secretary urged parents and caregivers not to be deterred by isolated incidents, reiterating that vaccines remain one of the most effective public health interventions.
“The vaccines we use are safe, effective, and essential for protecting children,” he said.
The clarification comes amid ongoing efforts by the government to improve vaccine confidence and close immunisation gaps in the state, particularly among underserved communities.
The infants’ deaths drew public attention after their father, Samuel Alozie, posted videos on social media showing their bodies in body bags, alleging that they died shortly after vaccination.
Alozie said he took the twins for routine immunisation at a Lagos PHC on the morning of Dec. 24, 2025, and claimed the children became weak shortly after receiving the injections.
According to him, a nurse advised that the twins be given paracetamol if they developed a fever.
He said the drug was administered and the children were bathed in cold water, but their condition did not improve.
Alozie said the twins died on the morning of Dec. 25, adding that both children were healthy before the immunisation.
The incident, which sparked public concern and debate, prompted the Lagos State Government to order a postmortem examination on the nine-month-old identical twins.
