Growing frustration and anxiety among parents over perceived developmental regression in children following routine vaccinations are raising difficult questions at the intersection of public health, parental experience, and scientific evidence.

In this report, Gift Oba examines the concerns of affected parents, perspectives from medical experts, and the broader implications for vaccine confidence in Nigeria.

When the world speaks in a chorus, five-year-old Samson (not his real name) exists in a vast, echoing silence.

Living with his parents in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, Samson knows the words “mama” and “dada,” but they seem trapped behind a wall he cannot break through. Instead of asking for his favourite toy, he stretches out his hand. His brows knit together, and his cries become the only language he can rely on.

Once a child who sang “Hallelujah” and engaged freely with those around him, Samson gradually withdrew. His parents watched in confusion as he became fixated on the ceiling fan, staring endlessly while spinning his body in rhythmic circles that mirrored the fan’s motion.

For his mother, Mrs Iraboh (not her real name), old videos of her son laughing and talking are painful reminders of what she describes as a clear “before” and “after.” She believes the turning point came after her son received the second dose of the measles vaccine.

“He was fine until I took him for the vaccine,” she said, recalling how her previously responsive child stopped answering to his name and lost the ability to repeat words.

Her story reflects a growing and emotionally charged phenomenon where developmental regression intersects with parental fear and uncertainty.

While medical science attributes delayed speech to factors such as hearing impairment, genetic predisposition, developmental delays, or conditions like autism, some parents remain unconvinced. Many say they have carried out independent research, linking their children’s symptoms to vaccination, heavy metals, and immunisation schedules.

Delayed speech refers to a situation in which a child’s speech and language development occurs more slowly than expected for their age. Children with delayed speech may struggle with articulation, comprehension, or communication and may experience a temporary delay or have underlying medical or developmental conditions.

“My son was fine until the measles vaccine” – Mother

Mrs Iraboh, a mother of two, said her son began showing signs of regression shortly after receiving the measles vaccine at one year and three months old.

She recalled vividly:
“Thursday, November 12, 2020, keeps flashing in my mind. I was 42 weeks pregnant and didn’t go into labour. I was induced, laboured for 15 hours, and eventually had an emergency Caesarean section.

“My child was born healthy. He interacted normally until after the measles vaccine. Then he started gazing non-stop. When we called his name, he wouldn’t respond. He stopped talking and couldn’t repeat words.

“He became obsessed with moving objects. He would stare at the ceiling fan and rotate his body 360 degrees with it, even when he was about to fall.”

Videos shared by the mother showed Samson babbling and clearly pronouncing words like “mama” and “hallelujah” before the reported regression.

“He was interacting normally in those videos,” she said. “After the vaccine, everything changed. I later read that detoxification was necessary because vaccines contain heavy metals.”

Other parents share similar concerns

Another mother, Lisa Benjamin, popularly known on TikTok as Lisa Motherhood & Lifestyle, also shared her experience online, claiming her daughter showed autistic traits following immunisation.

“What if children react differently to vaccines?” she asked in a video. “What if it affects some and not others? My daughter met all her milestones until after she turned one.”

Speaking further, she said early signs included delayed speech, tiptoeing, repetitive movements (stimming), reduced response to her name, and differences in social interaction.

“My daughter is three years old now. These signs became more noticeable as she grew,” she said.

Several parents responded to her post with similar stories. One parent, OluwaMayokun Hamdallah, said her child was verbal before his one-year vaccination but later regressed and was diagnosed with autism.

Another parent, Oritoke, said her son began showing signs of regression after receiving the measles vaccine, including loss of speech, non-responsiveness, and unusual movements.

Some parents described attempting alternative interventions, including detox baths, though many admitted they could not say with certainty what made a difference.

Twins die 24 hours after vaccination in Lagos

Public concern intensified earlier this month after a 30-year-old father, Samuel Alozie, alleged that routine immunisation led to the death of his nine-month-old twin boys in the Ajangbadi area of Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos State.

According to him, the twins, Testimony and Timothy, received injections on December 24, 2025, and died the following morning.

He claimed the children became weak immediately after vaccination and developed high temperatures that did not respond to paracetamol.

Reacting, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Ibrahim Mustafa, confirmed that investigations and post-mortem examinations were ongoing.

He stated that while the children were vaccinated, there was no evidence linking the vaccines directly to their deaths.

Emotional toll on families

Mrs Iraboh said caring for a child with delayed speech is emotionally exhausting and requires patience to prevent frustration.

“He screams or dances aggressively to communicate,” she said, describing how her son signals basic needs like using the toilet.

Mrs Benjamin echoed similar sentiments, saying the hardest part is not always understanding her daughter’s needs, leading to emotional meltdowns.

She said she copes by educating herself, advocating for her child, celebrating small milestones, establishing routines, and closely monitoring triggers and calming strategies.

“It’s hands-on and requires patience, consistency, and trial and error,” she said.

Parents call for government support

Parents appealed to government authorities to make early intervention services, speech therapy, and inclusive education more affordable and accessible.

They also urged increased public awareness to reduce stigma surrounding autism and developmental delays.

“Autism is not a parenting failure,” Mrs Benjamin stressed. “Autistic children are not less than others. With understanding, patience, and proper support, they can thrive.”

Vaccines save lives, not harm children – Expert

A Consultant Paediatrician and Head of Clinical Services at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Dr Adekunle Saheed Adediran, firmly dismissed claims linking vaccines to autism, delayed speech, or childhood deaths.

He said the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine has no scientific connection to autism or developmental regression.

“In over three decades of practice, I have never had cause to link vaccines to delayed speech or autism,” he said.

He noted that immunisation has drastically reduced childhood illness, disability, and death, especially in developing countries like Nigeria.

According to a 2024 World Health Organization (WHO)–led study published in The Lancet, global immunisation efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives over the past 50 years, with measles vaccination accounting for about 60% of lives saved.

Dr Adediran explained that vaccines undergo extensive clinical trials before approval and are continuously monitored for safety after introduction.

Why children may experience developmental delays

He identified poor nutrition, excessive screen exposure, and underlying medical conditions as common contributors to delayed development.

“Proper nutrition, exclusive breastfeeding, and appropriate complementary feeding are critical,” he said.

“Excessive screen exposure has been linked to delayed speech. Children learn best through real-life interaction, not passive screen use.”

He advised parents to seek evaluation from qualified paediatricians for any child showing delayed milestones.

Dr Adediran also recommended incorporating immunisation education into antenatal care and routine hospital health talks, urging the media to help counter misinformation with accurate, evidence-based reporting.