Nigeria has embarked on one of its most ambitious public health initiatives to date—a nationwide integrated vaccination campaign aimed at protecting approximately 106 million children from measles, rubella, and poliomyelitis.
The campaign, announced by the World Health Organization (WHO), marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to eliminate preventable childhood diseases.
The comprehensive campaign, which launched this week, will be executed in two phases. Phase one targets 20 high-risk northern states along with Oyo State in the southwest. Phase two, scheduled for January 2026, will extend coverage to the remaining southern states. Children aged 0–14 years will receive measles and rubella vaccines, while those aged 0–59 months will be immunized against polio.
To ensure no child is left behind, health workers will deploy services through fixed vaccination posts, mobile outreach units, and door-to-door “sweep teams,” reaching even the most remote and underserved communities.
In addition to immunization, the campaign integrates routine child health services, including treatment for neglected tropical diseases and seasonal malaria prevention in vulnerable areas.
This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s “Primary Health Care Under One Roof” strategy and supports the broader Health Campaign Effectiveness agenda, which aims to achieve universal health coverage. It also responds to ongoing outbreaks of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2), measles, and rubella across Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin.
Nigeria is coordinating with neighboring countries—Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and the Central African Republic—under a cross-border action plan to halt active outbreaks by the end of 2025 and eliminate residual risks by 2026.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ali Pate, commended frontline health workers for their dedication and urged them to maintain their resilience.
“Vaccines are safe and life-saving. No parent would refuse protection for their child,” he said, emphasizing the importance of community trust and participation.
The campaign builds on the success of recent “In-between Round Activities” conducted in 11 northern states between August and September 2025. These efforts reached over 3.1 million children with vaccines, delivered nutrition supplements to 500,000 malnourished children, and provided anti-malaria treatment to 150,000 children.
Dr. Mohammed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, praised Nigeria’s integrated approach as a model for the continent. “By combining efforts against measles, rubella, and polio, and working closely with communities, we are moving closer to a future where no African child suffers from these preventable diseases,” he said.
To support the rollout, Nigeria has enhanced its operational systems—training personnel across states, streamlining payment processes for health workers, and upgrading data systems to ensure accurate tracking and accountability.
A key innovation in the campaign is the introduction of a combined measles-rubella vaccine, replacing the previous measles-only version. Measles remains a deadly threat, especially for malnourished children, while rubella poses serious risks during pregnancy, potentially leading to congenital birth defects.
The campaign is spearheaded by the Nigerian government with support from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, Africa CDC, civil society organizations, and traditional and religious leaders. Robust coordination mechanisms are in place to manage financing, logistics, training, and social mobilization, ensuring the campaign’s success.
