Nigeria is rolling out one of the largest integrated vaccination campaigns in its history, aiming to protect around 106 million children against measles, rubella, and poliomyelitis, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The nationwide initiative will combine multiple vaccines and essential child health services in a single drive, ensuring efficient and equitable delivery across the country.
The campaign targets children aged 0–14 years for measles and rubella, and children aged 0–59 months for polio.
It will be implemented in two phases. Phase one, which launches today, will cover 20 high-risk northern states and Oyo State in the southwest. Phase two will begin in January 2026 and expand to the remaining southern states.
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To reach every community, health workers will deliver services through fixed posts, temporary outreach points, and house-to-house “sweep teams,” ensuring that even children in the most remote and underserved areas are vaccinated.
In addition to the measles-rubella and polio vaccines, the campaign integrates routine immunisation and other vital child health services, including treatment for neglected tropical diseases and seasonal malaria chemoprevention in high-risk areas.
This comprehensive approach supports Nigeria’s “Primary Health Care Under One Roof” strategy and advances the Health Campaign Effectiveness agenda, contributing to the goal of universal health coverage.
The initiative responds to ongoing outbreaks of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2), as well as measles and rubella outbreaks in Nigeria and the broader Lake Chad Basin.
Nigeria is coordinating with neighbouring countries—Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, and Niger—through a cross-border action plan to halt active outbreaks by the end of 2025 and eliminate remaining risks by the end of 2026.
“On behalf of the government, I want to express our deep respect and gratitude to Nigeria’s frontline health workers for their unwavering dedication. I urge you to approach this campaign with the same resilience and commitment you have shown over the years,” said Dr Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria.
“As a parent myself, I know that no parent would ever refuse something that protects their child. Vaccines are safe, and they save lives.”
This campaign builds on the success of two recent “In-Between Round Activities” carried out in 11 northern states between August and September 2025. These efforts reached over 3.1 million children with vaccines, provided nutritional supplements to 500,000 malnourished children, and delivered anti-malaria interventions to 150,000 children.
“Nigeria’s integrated approach sets a strong example for the region. By uniting efforts against measles, rubella, and polio, and by working hand-in-hand with communities and partners, we are moving closer to the day when no African child suffers or dies from these preventable diseases,” said Dr Mohammed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
In preparation for the nationwide rollout, Nigeria has also strengthened systems to ensure smooth implementation. Trainers have been mobilised across states, payment processes for frontline workers have been redesigned for greater efficiency, and data systems have been upgraded to ensure accurate recording and transparency.
These investments aim to support health workers and build trust in the programme by ensuring every vaccinated child is properly documented.
As part of the campaign, Nigeria is introducing a new combined measles-rubella vaccine, replacing the previously used measles-only vaccine.
Measles is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease, especially dangerous for malnourished children. Rubella, though often mild, can lead to severe birth defects—known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome—if contracted during pregnancy.
The campaign is led by the Nigerian government with support from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance), Rotary International, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, civil society organisations, and traditional and religious leaders.
Robust coordination mechanisms are in place to manage financing, social mobilisation, training, vaccines, and logistics, helping ensure the campaign’s success.
