Efforts to close Nigeria’s childhood immunisation gaps are gaining ground in Kebbi State, where more than 13,000 children have received their first dose of the pentavalent vaccine under an expanded vaccination drive led by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The initiative is aimed at extending routine immunisation to underserved communities, bringing vaccination services closer to families in hard-to-reach areas and identifying children who have missed scheduled doses or have never received routine vaccines.
According to WHO data covering June to August 2026, vaccination teams operating through 543 health facilities reached more than 2,600 settlements across Kebbi State, widening access to essential preventive healthcare.
The programme has also recorded progress in protecting young girls against human papillomavirus (HPV), with more than 11,506 nine-year-old girls receiving the HPV vaccine, which helps prevent infections that can lead to cervical cancer.
WHO is implementing the intervention in partnership with the Kebbi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and other health partners, with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
The outreach strategy addresses persistent obstacles to immunisation, including long distances to health facilities, transportation costs and difficult terrain, which often prevent families in remote communities from accessing routine vaccination services.
Community leaders, volunteers and women’s groups are also playing a vital role in mobilising households, raising awareness and encouraging parents to ensure their children receive recommended vaccines.
WHO says expanding these services is essential to reducing the number of children missing routine immunisation and strengthening protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.
The progress in Kebbi highlights the importance of taking vaccination services directly to underserved populations as Nigeria intensifies efforts to improve immunisation coverage and ensure that more children benefit from life-saving preventive healthcare.
