…Unprecedented Campaign to Reach Over 100 Million Children
Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) is partnering with the Nigerian government for a historic nationwide measles vaccination campaign starting October 2025.
The campaign, beginning in northern Nigeria and expanding southward in early 2026, aims to vaccinate over 100 million children. “In 2024 alone, Nigeria recorded over 20,000 suspected measles cases, with nearly 10,000 lab-confirmed,” said CDC Nigeria epidemiologist, Dr Joseph Forbi.
“Most of these were in children who were unvaccinated or under-vaccinated.” He added that Nigeria’s current 60% coverage for the first measles vaccine dose falls far short of the 95% needed for herd immunity, leaving an estimated three million children completely unvaccinated.
Dr Forbi emphasized the severity of measles, describing it as “one of the most infectious diseases in the world,” capable of spreading from a single infected individual to up to 1,800 people.
With symptoms such as high fever, rash, and complications in 30% of cases—including pneumonia, ear infections, and the rare, fatal SSPE—he stressed the importance of the vaccination campaign. To boost response efforts, Nigeria has adopted the Measles Elimination Strategic Plan 2030 and will begin introducing the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine.
“The U.S. CDC is deploying senior epidemiologists, providing laboratory support, and using GIS-based tools to ensure no child is missed,” Dr Forbi noted.
The Programme Director of the CDC Nigeria Global Immunisation Division, Dr Patricia Tanifum reaffirmed the agency’s support for Nigeria’s goal to eliminate measles and rubella by 2030.
“Nigeria may be slightly behind schedule, but real progress is being made,” she stated. She urged stronger collaboration among stakeholders including the Federal Ministry of Health, NPHCDA, and community leaders.
With Gavi pledging nearly $33 million and over 1,400 health workers already trained, the campaign is poised to be a critical step toward Universal Health Coverage.
“Our shared goal is to ensure that no child dies from a disease we can prevent,” Dr Tanifum added.
