Immunisation Campaign: Gates Foundation, Partners Target Two Million Unreached Children

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Nigeria) has reiterated the need for coordinated efforts between the government and relevant stakeholders to ensure that over two million unvaccinated children in Nigeria are reached, vaccinated, and protected.

This call comes as the national immunisation campaign kicks off in Abuja.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, officially launched the national integrated Measles-Rubella and Polio Immunisation campaign at the Presidential Villa on Monday.

The national campaign aims to increase the uptake of routine immunisation across the country, which currently stands at approximately 60 per cent

Deputy Director of Immunisation and Disease Control at the Gates Foundation, Yusuf Yusufari, in his remarks at the launch, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to ensuring no child is lost to preventable diseases.

Yusufari stated, “Nigeria became a global exemplar in what can be achieved to protect the lives of young girls from cervical cancer. 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.”

“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.”

It is worth noting that the Gates Foundation has been instrumental in the expansion of polio vaccination efforts in Nigeria, at a time when the country was formerly ranked highest among countries with polio cases.

Yusufari highlighted Nigeria’s immunisation journey as a testament to resilience and praised the country’s wild polio-free certification as a global success story.

Speaking on the new immunisation campaign being supported by the Foundation, Yusufari said, “New vaccines have been added, including pneumococcal, rotavirus, HPV, and now the measles-rubella vaccine – a significant step to prevent two deadly diseases simultaneously.”

Addressing the issue of unvaccinated, or “zero-dose,” children, Yusufari insisted that this gap must be closed.

“These children are completely unprotected, and too many continue to be missed, fueling outbreaks of measles and the spread of the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2. This is the urgent gap we must close,” Yusufari said.

The national campaign is expected to be the largest in Nigeria’s history, aiming to reach 106 million children across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“The campaign will reach 21 states, and children will receive both measles-rubella and polio vaccines during one visit. Additionally, in four states, families will receive malaria nets, deworming tablets, or other essential services alongside vaccines.”

“This integrated approach saves caregivers time, maximises resources, and strengthens trust in health services. A mother can leave one clinic visit knowing her children are protected against measles, rubella, polio, and even malaria. Community members in NTD (Neglected Tropical Disease) endemic settlements have the opportunity of receiving their medications delivered to their homes.”

The Gates Foundation further states that it expects the government, partners, and communities to act collaboratively as one team, in order to reach every child and close the zero-dose gap through innovative outreach, thereby strengthening primary health care and Nigeria’s future.

“If we succeed, Nigeria will not only safeguard its children but also inspire the world with what is possible. Together, let us act with urgency, unity, and persistence so that truly no child is left behind,” he concluded.