Abuja (Nigeria): Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has described Nigeria’s integrated vaccination campaign targeting 100 million children as a bold and ambitious move.
Ms Jessica Crawford, Senior Country Manager for Nigeria at Gavi, made this statement on Monday in Abuja at the launch of the vaccination campaign by the Federal Government, which global partners supported.
Crawford described the launch as a landmark moment for Nigeria and the global health sector.
“This campaign is bold, ambitious, and deeply rooted in country leadership.
“Reaching over 100 million children with life-saving vaccines is no small feat, and what makes it truly remarkable is the collaboration behind it, from government to communities, partners, and health workers,” she said.
She said that the campaign builds on years of investment in Nigeria’s immunisation infrastructure, including cold chain expansion, workforce training, and the use of digital technologies to monitor coverage and ensure no child is left behind.
Gavi, she said, is backing the campaign with a $ 103 million investment, underlining its commitment to equitable access, innovation, and country-led delivery.
GAVI said that the funds would also strengthen logistics, cold chain systems, and digital tracking tools to enhance efficiency and accountability.
The campaign targets about 109 million children aged nine months to 14 years with life-saving vaccines.
The nationwide exercise will deliver vaccines against measles, rubella, human papillomavirus (HPV), polio, and other routine immunisations in a significant step toward closing immunisation gaps and strengthening Nigeria’s public health system.
The initiative, led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, WHO, and civil society organisations, represents an unprecedented level of collaboration among stakeholders.
Since 2001, Gavi has invested approximately $2.6 billion in Nigeria, helping to increase coverage of the three-dose DTP vaccine from 27% to 67%.
The recent HPV vaccine rollout has already protected more than 15 million girls from cervical cancer, demonstrating the country’s capacity to deliver vaccines at scale.Meanwhile, stakeholders noted that the integrated campaign presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance confidence in routine immunisation, mitigate disease outbreaks, and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).