Gates Foundation supports Nigeria's immunisation campaign targeting two million children

The Gates Foundation has expressed strong support for Nigeria’s nationwide integrated immunisation campaign, which aims to reach more than two million unvaccinated children and boost protection against preventable diseases.

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The campaign, flagged off on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, was described as a major step in the country’s effort to strengthen routine immunisation and curb disease outbreaks.

The initiative is aimed at targeting diseases such as measles, rubella, polio and human papillomavirus (HPV) while integrating other essential health services such as deworming, distribution of insecticide-treated nets, and treatment for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

Nationwide Integrated Campaign

At the flag-off ceremony, Yusuf Yusufari, deputy director for Immunisation and Disease Control at the Gates Foundation, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that no child dies from preventable diseases.

Mr Yusufari recalled that Nigeria’s success in eradicating wild polio remains a major global health milestone, describing the country’s immunisation journey as a story of resilience and collaboration.

“Nigeria became a global exemplar in protecting young girls from cervical cancer, and today, as we did two years ago, we stand united behind one goal: that no child or woman in Nigeria should be left unprotected from preventable diseases,” he said.

“This is the number one goal, an ambitious goal that Mr Bill Gates set when he announced his generous gift of $200 billion over the next 20 years.”

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Expanding Vaccine Coverage

Mr Yusufari highlighted that the new campaign will deliver additional vaccines to protect children from deadly diseases.

He stressed that closing the gap for “zero-dose” children, those who have never received any vaccine, is critical to preventing outbreaks of measles and the spread of circulating variant poliovirus type 2.

“New vaccines have been added, including pneumococcal, rotavirus, HPV, and now the measles-rubella vaccine, which is a landmark step to prevent two deadly diseases at once,” he said.

READ ALSO: Nigerian govt to begin nationwide integrated immunisation, NTD campaign on 6 October

According to Mr Yusufari, the campaign is expected to be the largest immunisation drive in Nigeria’s history, aiming to reach over 106 million children across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

He added that the integrated approach not only saves caregivers’ time but also strengthens trust in the health system.

“A mother can leave one clinic visit knowing her children are protected against measles, rubella, polio, and even malaria, while families in communities affected by neglected tropical diseases receive medications delivered to their homes,” he said.

The Gates Foundation urged all stakeholders, including government, health workers, and community leaders, to act together to close the immunisation gap and strengthen primary healthcare.