Nigeria targets 106m children for nationwide vaccination drive
The Federal Government, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has launched an ambitious national vaccination campaign targeting 106 million children across the country to protect them against measles, rubella, polio, and the human papillomavirus (HPV).
The campaign, which runs from October 2025 to February 2026, is being implemented in collaboration with state governments and development partners to strengthen immunity among children and improve national health outcomes.
Speaking during a road walk and health outreach in Abuja, the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at NPHCDA, Dr. Garuba Rufai, said the ongoing exercise covers 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory in its first phase.
“Children aged zero to 14 years are being vaccinated with the measles-rubella and polio vaccines, while girls aged nine to 14 years are receiving the HPV vaccine alongside routine immunisations,” Rufai explained.
He noted that the agency is working closely with malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) programmes to ensure comprehensive health coverage in affected communities.
“We have deployed social mobilisation efforts, engaged community leaders, teachers, and parents, and are using various awareness channels to ensure every eligible child is reached,” he said.
The second phase of the vaccination exercise is expected to commence by mid-October, with subsequent phases extending into early 2026.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) FCT Coordinator, Dr. Kumshida Balami, described vaccines as “safe and effective,” stressing that Nigeria must eliminate preventable diseases such as measles, polio, and cervical cancer.
“We cannot be in this century and still have children dying from diseases that vaccines can prevent,” she warned.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina, and the Mandate Secretary of Health Services and Environment Secretariat in the FCT, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, led a monitoring team to assess the progress of the campaign across several Primary Health Centres in Kogi and Abuja.
In a statement signed by Mrs. Bola Ajao, Special Adviser to Dr. Fasawe, the team urged parents and caregivers to ensure their children are vaccinated and properly finger-marked as proof of immunisation.
Dr. Aina commended frontline health workers for their commitment, noting that accurate data and honest reporting were essential for evaluating coverage and planning future health interventions.
At the New Township PHC, Abaji, Dr. Fasawe personally administered vaccines to infants and encouraged mothers to spread awareness within their communities.
“Unvaccinated children remain at high risk of contracting diseases like measles and rubella, which can lead to blindness, brain damage, or death,” she warned.
The nationwide vaccination campaign forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Health Reform Agenda, aimed at strengthening primary healthcare delivery and reducing preventable child deaths across Nigeria.