Nigeria is set to roll out a landmark integrated health campaign in October, aiming to vaccinate 109 million children aged 0 to 14 years against measles, rubella, and polio, while also incorporating nutrition interventions and other key health services.
The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, described the upcoming exercise as “the mother of all campaigns”, emphasizing its scale and potential impact on child health and disease prevention.
Nationwide Campaign Kicks Off in October
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja during the handover of 1,653 solar-powered refrigerators donated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, and the Federal Government, Aina explained that the campaign will extend across all states and communities.
“The timing of the receipt of these devices couldn’t be better, given the reforms we’re undertaking in our routine immunization program and campaign strategies,” he said.
“We are gearing up for the mother of all campaigns — an integrated measles-rubella drive kicking off in October, combined with polio vaccination, nutrition services, and other community-based health interventions.
Our goal is to reach 109 million young Nigerians between 0 and 14 years with life-saving vaccines. I encourage Nigerians to support us and ensure maximum participation.”
Boosting Vaccine Cold Chain Capacity
Highlighting the importance of the newly donated equipment, Aina said the solar-powered cold chain refrigerators would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s vaccine storage and distribution system, particularly in hard-to-reach and underserved areas.
The donation comprises:
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1,653 Solar Direct Drive (SDD) cold chain refrigerators
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165 sets of spare parts
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Remote monitoring devices
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30-day temperature recorders
Valued at $11 million, the equipment is expected to enhance the efficiency of Nigeria’s immunization programs and safeguard vaccine potency, especially in rural communities.
A Turning Point for Immunization in Nigeria
Aina reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving primary health care delivery and urged Nigerians to embrace vaccination as a critical step toward reducing preventable childhood diseases.
The integrated campaign, supported by international partners, marks one of Nigeria’s most ambitious health interventions yet, designed to accelerate progress toward universal immunization coverage and improve child survival nationwide.
