Kaduna State’s drive towards universal vaccine coverage has received a major boost with a fresh $3 million investment from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to be implemented over the next two years.
The fund is aimed at strengthening routine immunisation and revitalising primary health care services across the state.
During a high-level visit to Kaduna, Jessica Crawford, Gavi’s Senior Country Manager for Nigeria, commended the state’s leadership and achievements in improving immunisation. She said the new funding would help:
Improve vaccine delivery systems
Reach hard-to-reach communities
Reduce the number of “zero-dose” children — those who have never received any vaccine.
Welcoming the investment, Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe said the initiative builds on Kaduna’s strong partnerships with Gavi, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
She highlighted that ongoing collaborations have already expanded vaccine coverage, upgraded cold chain infrastructure, trained frontline health workers, and improved health data management.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Dr. Balarabe pledged that Kaduna would intensify efforts to:
Reach remote and insecure areas
Tackle vaccine hesitancy
Revitalise primary health care facilities
“Together, we can protect the health and future of every child in Kaduna,” she assured.
