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Nigeria‘s Determined Drive to Eradicate Measles and Rubella by 2030
As Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria plays a pivotal role in the continent’s and the world’s efforts to eliminate measles and rubella by 2030. The Nigerian government, demonstrating robust leadership, has launched an extensive Integrated Measles-Rubella and Polio Vaccination Campaign. This initiative, in partnership with global organizations such as WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, Rotary, and the Gates Foundation, aims to ensure that every eligible child receives vital immunizations.
Comprehensive Vaccination Efforts Across Challenging Terrains
In recent months, dedicated health workers have navigated rivers, rugged landscapes, and densely populated urban areas to deliver vaccines against measles, rubella, and polio. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) successfully completed the first phase of this campaign, which was rolled out in two waves: the first covering 11 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, and the second targeting nine states including Adamawa, Bauchi, and Borno.
Looking ahead, the campaign’s next phase is scheduled for January 2026, spanning 16 southern states and aiming to immunize over 106 million children. This will be the largest vaccination drive of its kind in Africa and one of the most extensive worldwide.
Integrated Health Services Delivered in a Single Visit
This campaign adopts a holistic approach by offering multiple health interventions during one encounter, thereby maximizing reach and efficiency. Services provided include:
- Measles-rubella vaccine for children aged 9 months to 14 years
- Novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) for children under 5 years
- Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) for children between 3 and 59 months
- Treatment for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), such as onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis for those aged 5 and above, schistosomiasis for children aged 5-14, and trachoma for all age groups
- HPV vaccination for 9-year-old girls
This integrated delivery model not only boosts immunization coverage but also strengthens the capacity of primary health care systems and reduces missed opportunities for vaccination.
Reaching Every Child: Innovative Strategies in Diverse Settings
Over 27,000 trained vaccinators and community mobilizers have been deployed to ensure vaccine access across Nigeria’s diverse environments. Examples of their innovative outreach include:
- Using boats to access flood-affected and riverine communities in Adamawa State
- Setting up vaccination posts near farmlands and transit hubs in Kaduna State
- Providing immunization services in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and conflict-affected areas of Borno State
- Transporting vaccines over steep terrain in Plateau and Taraba States, including the Mambilla Plateau
Abdulmumini Musa, a vaccinator from Bauchi State, emphasized, “Our commitment is to reach every community outlined in our microplans, regardless of the challenges. Each vaccinated child is a step closer to preventing outbreaks.” Microplans are detailed local strategies that guide health teams in delivering services to all settlements.
Impact So Far: Protecting Millions of Children
Preliminary data from the first two streams of phase one, as of October 30, 2025, reveal impressive achievements:
- Nearly 59 million children vaccinated against measles and rubella
- Over 38 million children immunized against variant poliovirus with nOPV2
- Close to 2.5 million individuals reached with malaria and NTD treatments
- Approximately 675,000 nine-year-old girls received the HPV vaccine
- More than 1.4 million infants under one year received the first dose of pentavalent vaccine (Penta-1), and about 3.3 million children aged 12-23 months received the third dose (Penta-3), many of whom were previously unvaccinated
These figures are undergoing validation through post-campaign surveys and independent monitoring to ensure accuracy and quality. Ikima Salisu, a mother from Bauchi, shared, “My child stayed healthy while others around us fell ill because of vaccination. I now encourage all mothers to vaccinate their children for their safety.”
Strong Leadership and Community Engagement at Every Level
State governors, First Ladies, and health commissioners have championed the campaign through public launches, reinforcing immunization as a national priority. Local leaders, including traditional rulers and ward development committees, have played a crucial role in dispelling myths and encouraging community participation.
Dr. Sufyan Ahmad, Incident Manager at Bauchi’s Emergency Operation Centre, highlighted the importance of collaboration: “We partnered with Islamic school leaders, addressed supply challenges promptly, and are conducting mop-up activities to reach children missed during initial rounds. I urge all caregivers to bring their children forward-vaccination is vital for their health.”
Overcoming Obstacles with Adaptive Solutions
| Challenge | Strategic Response |
|---|---|
| Remote rural, riverine, and conflict-affected zones | Deployment of boat and motorcycle teams, flexible microplanning, updated settlement mapping, additional outreach teams, extended mop-up days, and collaboration with trusted community volunteers and local security where necessary |
| High population movement in urban areas | Vaccination outreach at schools, markets, and transit points to capture mobile populations |
| Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation | Engagement of religious leaders, youth organizations, town criers, parent-teacher associations, and private school officials to build trust and counter rumors |
These targeted interventions have enhanced equitable access and reinforced the resilience of Nigeria’s immunization programs.
Coordinated Efforts and Accountability: The Role of WHO
The World Health Organization has been instrumental in supporting Nigeria’s campaign through:
- Providing technical guidance and facilitating coordination among national and international partners to optimize resource use and avoid duplication
- Conducting training sessions on microplanning, integrated service delivery, vaccine safety, and data management
- Validating microplans and verifying settlements to ensure comprehensive coverage
- Deploying experts across states, local government areas, and wards to offer real-time support and problem-solving
- Coordinating independent monitoring and daily review meetings to enable rapid corrective actions and maintain high campaign standards
- Managing logistics, fund disbursement, and procurement to guarantee timely availability of vaccines and supplies
Dr. Pavel Ursu, WHO Representative in Nigeria, remarked, “Nigeria’s achievements showcase exemplary government leadership and effective partnerships. Immunizing every eligible child today is crucial to preventing future outbreaks and building a healthier nation.”
Enhancing Nigeria’s Health Infrastructure Through Integration
The campaign has significantly contributed to strengthening Nigeria’s health system by:
- Revitalizing inter-sectoral collaboration among health and community sectors
- Improving microplanning accuracy and fostering deeper community involvement
- Increasing accountability for equitable vaccine coverage
- Building healthcare workers’ skills for integrated primary health care delivery
- Boosting caregiver confidence in immunization services
These improvements not only support routine immunization but also enhance public health security through expanded age-range vaccination and emergency preparedness.
Looking Forward: Sustaining Momentum Towards 2030
As mop-up activities continue to reach children missed in earlier rounds, WHO, the Nigerian government, and partners call on all stakeholders-from community leaders to parents-to stay engaged and vigilant. Continued dedication is essential to:
- Achieve the elimination of measles and rubella by 2030
- Maintain Nigeria’s polio-free status and halt variant poliovirus transmission
- Strengthen primary health care delivery across all communities
- Ensure no child is left unprotected-every child deserves access to life-saving vaccines
Together, these efforts will forge a healthier, more resilient Nigeria. Join this vital mission-because every child’s health matters.
