EP#28 --- How Nigeria traced and recalled 100% of a vaccine batch in under one hour

In this episode of SCAN/STORIES, discover how Nigeria successfully traced and recalled an entire vaccine batch in less than one hour, demonstrating the power of healthcare traceability when every product can be identified and tracked with certainty.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigerian health authorities faced a critical challenge. A vaccine batch was identified as compromised after distribution across a nationwide network of healthcare facilities. The task was clear but complex: locate every affected dose quickly, coordinate action across multiple stakeholders, and prevent any risk to patients.

Using its national Traceability Information System, built on GS1 standards, Nigeria was able to identify exactly where every dose had been distributed. Each vaccine was marked with a GS1 DataMatrix barcode, providing the visibility needed to trace products across the supply chain in real time.

Within less than one hour, authorities had identified all affected distribution points and activated communication across the network. Once the recall was confirmed, healthcare facilities were able to act immediately, ensuring vaccines were safely retrieved and removed from circulation.

The result was remarkable: 100% of the affected vaccine doses were successfully traced and recalled. But the impact extended beyond a single incident. The system demonstrated how trusted data, interoperability and collaboration can enable faster, more coordinated responses to public health challenges.

This episode explores how GS1 standards help healthcare organisations and national authorities build resilient, connected supply chains, ensuring that critical decisions can be made quickly, accurately and with confidence when it matters most.