Nigeria has launched one of the largest integrated vaccination campaigns in its history, aiming to protect approximately 106 million children against measles, rubella, and polio.1 The nationwide initiative, flagged off by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on October 6, 2025, is part of a broader effort to strengthen the country’s health systems and reduce preventable childhood diseases.2
The campaign is being implemented in two phases:3
- Phase 1 began in October 2025 and is covering 20 high-risk northern states and Oyo state in the southwest.4
- Phase 2 is scheduled to begin in January 2026 and will extend to the remaining southern states.5
The campaign will use a multifaceted approach to reach every community, including fixed health posts, temporary outreach sites, and house-to-house “sweep teams.”6 In addition to the primary vaccines, the program integrates other essential child health services such as routine immunization, HPV vaccination for girls, malaria prevention, and treatment for neglected tropical diseases.7
The initiative is a response to persistent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in Nigeria and across the Lake Chad Basin.8 The country has reported measles outbreaks in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with over 10,700 cases and 76 deaths this year, primarily among unvaccinated children.9
The campaign is a collaborative effort led by the Nigerian government and supported by key international partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Rotary International, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.10
