FG inaugurates Africa’s largest vaccination drive, targets 16 million children

… Sultan rallies govs, wives to champion campaign

The Federal Government has inaugurated Africa’s largest integrated vaccination campaign, targeting over 16 million children in a bold step towards ending vaccine-preventable diseases threatening millions of children.

Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, flagged off the National Measles-Rubella Vaccine Introduction Integrated Campaign, which she described as “a bold step towards protecting the lives and future of our children.”

In her remarks at the event, the First Lady highlighted the devastating consequences of measles, including blindness, disability and death, and warned that rubella, though often silent, can cause severe birth defects if contracted during pregnancy.

She urged parents, community leaders, and religious and traditional rulers to work together to ensure no child is left unvaccinated.

“We are here today to flag off a solution, a pathway to hope, and a promise of progress.

“With this vaccine, our children will be protected against two deadly diseases and enjoy a lifetime of safety and protection.

“These vaccines are safe, effective and free. They are one of the greatest gifts of modern medicine. They save lives, prevent disease, and give our children the chance to grow, learn and thrive,” she stated.

She pledged to sustain advocacy through the wives of state governors, women’s groups, and community leaders.

Remi Tinubu commended the Ministry of Health under Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and development partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Gavi and the Gates Foundation, for their support.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, at the event, rallied state governors and First Ladies to drive the campaign at the grassroots.

Recalling Nigeria’s polio eradication success, he said: “When we defeated polio, it wasn’t by coercion. It was by convincing people to do the right thing.”

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, described the campaign as the largest integrated immunisation initiative in Africa, pledging $103 million in support.

Tarcile Mballa, Gavi’s Senior Programme Manager for Nigeria, hailed it as “a historic milestone and a demonstration of Nigeria’s leadership in public health,” noting the alliance’s investment of over $2.6 billion in Nigeria’s immunisation efforts over two decades.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s vaccination goals.

The Deputy Director for Immunisation and Disease Control, Yusuf Yusufari, commended Nigeria’s resilience, citing the rise in routine immunisation coverage from 33 per cent in 2016 to over 60 per cent today and the country’s 2020 wild poliovirus-free certification.

He, however, warned that over two million Nigerian children remain “zero-dose”, completely unvaccinated, the second-highest figure globally, fuelling measles outbreaks and circulating variant poliovirus type 2.

He urged urgent action to close this gap through innovation and community outreach.

The 2025 campaign targets 16 million children aged 0-14 across the 36 states and the FCT.

In 21 states, children will receive both measles-rubella and polio vaccines in a single visit, while four states will also benefit from mosquito nets, deworming tablets, and treatment for neglected tropical diseases.

Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, described the drive as both a health and education investment.

Represented by Deputy Director Peter Ojonuba, he said, “A healthy child is a teachable child.”

He pledged that schools would be mobilised as hubs for vaccine awareness and delivery, warning administrators against obstructing vaccinators.

Earlier, NPHCDA Executive Director, Dr Muyi Aina, called the initiative “the mother of all campaigns,” noting over 10,000 measles cases and 76 related deaths recorded this year.

He urged parents to present their children at health centres for free vaccination from October 6 and called on the media to amplify health messages.

The launch was attended by traditional and religious leaders, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; development partners; and senior government officials.

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