A randomized controlled trial evaluating the New Incentives – All Babies Are Equal (NI-ABAE) program has found that conditional cash transfers (CCTs) significantly increase routine childhood immunization coverage in North West Nigeria. The program, which offers caregivers up to ₦4,000 (around $11) for completing key vaccines in the routine immunization schedule, led to a 27 percentage point increase in full immunization rates compared to control areas. Timeliness of vaccination also improved: for example, infants were 33 percentage points more likely to receive the measles vaccine within one month of the recommended age. Notably, even non-incentivized vaccines saw higher uptake, and children in treatment areas were more likely to visit clinics overall—suggesting positive spillover effects beyond the target immunizations.
Beyond boosting demand, the program also influenced supply-side performance. Clinics participating in NI-ABAE were 18 percentage points less likely to report vaccine stockouts, likely due to regular oversight and coordination from program staff. Caregivers in program areas demonstrated improved knowledge and more positive attitudes toward vaccines, though modestly, reinforcing that behavioral incentives paired with awareness-raising can drive action. These results provide compelling evidence for integrating CCTs into broader immunization strategies in low-coverage settings. The evaluation recommends expanding CCT access in underserved regions and conducting further research on the long-term and system-level effects of such programs.
Thumbnail image credit: ID Insight
Any organization or individual working in the field of immunization economics can submit findings, opportunities, calls to action, or other relevant work below to be shared with our community.