The Federal Government, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, has launched a large-scale vaccination campaign aimed at immunising 106 million children across Nigeria against measles, rubella, polio, and human papillomavirus.
The nationwide exercise, which runs from October 2025 to February 2026, is being implemented in partnership with state governments and development partners to curb vaccine-preventable diseases among children and adolescents.
Flagging off the campaign on October 6, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, described the initiative as a “bold step toward safeguarding the lives and future of Nigerian children,” adding that the government is committed to ensuring no child is left unprotected.
Speaking at a health awareness walk in Abuja, the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at NPHCDA, Dr Garuba Rufai, said the integrated campaign is currently ongoing in 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Children aged zero to 14 years are being vaccinated against measles and rubella, while girls aged nine to 14 years are receiving the HPV vaccine alongside routine immunisation,” Dr Rufai explained.
“We are collaborating with other health programmes, including malaria and neglected tropical diseases, to ensure a holistic approach to disease prevention,” he added.
Dr Rufai noted that the agency has engaged traditional rulers, religious leaders, teachers, parents, and community groups to enhance awareness and boost participation. “We’ve deployed social mobilisation strategies such as community outreach and public announcement vans to reach every eligible child,” he said.
He revealed that while the first phase of the campaign covers 11 states and the FCT, the next stream of states will begin by October 18. “Our goal is to vaccinate 106 million Nigerians by the end of February 2026,” Rufai added.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation, Coordinator for the FCT, Dr Kumshida Balami, emphasised the safety and importance of vaccines, stressing that preventable diseases should no longer claim lives.
“We cannot still have children coming down with measles or polio in this century, or women dying from cervical cancer caused by HPV. Vaccines are safe, effective, and life-saving,” Balami said.
The Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr Muyi Aina, alongside the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCT Administration, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, led a monitoring team to assess the ongoing campaign in parts of the FCT and Kogi State.
During the visit to primary health centres in Abaji Area Council and Kogi Local Government Area, Dr Fasawe personally administered vaccines to infants and sensitised mothers on the importance of immunisation.
“No child should die from diseases that can be prevented through simple vaccination. Parents must ensure their children are immunised and spread the message within their communities,” she urged.
In a statement by her Special Adviser, Mrs Bola Ajao, Dr Fasawe encouraged mothers to verify that their children are properly finger-marked as evidence of vaccination.
Dr Aina commended frontline health workers for their dedication, urging them to maintain transparency in data reporting.
“Accurate and verified data — whether targets are achieved or not — are essential for effective planning and sustainable health improvements,” he said.
He added that the vaccination campaign aligns with the Renewed Hope Health Reform Agenda of the Tinubu administration, aimed at delivering equitable and efficient healthcare services nationwide.
The monitoring team also provided follow-up recommendations for a 13-year-old patient encountered during the field visit, as part of efforts to ensure improved service delivery at the grassroots.
