Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has announced a $3 million investment over the next two years to strengthen routine immunisation and primary healthcare in Kaduna.

This is expected to accelerate progress towards universal vaccine coverage.

Jessica Crawford, Gavi senior country manager for Nigeria, disclosed this during a high-level field mission to the state.

The visit included engagements with top state officials, tours of health facilities, and strategy meetings with partners.

Ms Crawford said Kaduna had shown strong leadership, coordination, and results in immunisation. She emphasised that the funding would help build on those successes, tackle hard-to-reach areas, and ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines.

Ms Crawford explained that the fund drawn from Gavi’s latest Health System Strengthening grant would be implemented in collaboration with the Kaduna government, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and other partners.

The funding, according to her, would focus on critical priorities such as improving vaccine delivery, addressing inequities in coverage, and reducing the number of ‘zero-dose’ children.

“Over the past seven years, Gavi has supported Kaduna through cold chain equipment provision, vaccine supply operations, outbreak response, workforce support, and direct vaccine procurement.

“We are pleased to see these investments in action and committed to working with Kaduna to maximise impact,” Ms Crawford said.

Similarly, Hassan Ousmane, head of routine immunisation at NPHCDA, highlighted the federal government’s role in ensuring vaccine availability nationwide.

“The federal government, through NPHCDA, procures vaccines for all states in Nigeria, ensuring every child is vaccinated. Partners like Gavi complement these efforts with funding, equipment, and other essential resources to strengthen our health facilities,” he said.

Mr Ousmane noted that Gavi’s national pledge stands at $13 million over three years, with states providing counterpart contributions.

“While Gavi often provides the larger share, the government also commits its own resources to ensure we achieve full immunisation coverage,” he said.

Addressing the issue of children missing out on basic immunisation, Barkunawa Bello, deputy director of routine immunisation and Gavi desk officer at NPHCDA, explained the scale of the problem.

“By definition, a zero-dose child is one who has not received the first dose of the pentavalent vaccine (Penta 1) by the age of 23 months. Nigeria, unfortunately, has one of the highest zero-dose burdens globally, with 2.3 million identified in 2022.

“This has been reduced to about 2.1 million, but much work remains. Kaduna is one of five states, alongside Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, and Bayelsa, selected for intensive engagement with Gavi to address immunisation gaps,” he said.

Mr Bello noted the importance of community engagement through religious, traditional, and local leaders, supported by the national risk communication team, in combating vaccine hesitancy.

“Our strategy is to ensure no one is left behind. That means working directly with communities, men and women alike, to build trust and demand for vaccines,” he noted.

Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe described Gavi’s commitment as a reaffirmation of the shared mission to protect the health and future of children in Kaduna.

“Through our joint efforts with Gavi, NPHCDA, UNICEF, and the Gates Foundation, we have expanded immunisation coverage, strengthened cold-chain infrastructure, trained and deployed frontline health workers, and improved health data systems.

“These achievements translate into healthier children, stronger families, and lives saved from preventable diseases,” she said.

The deputy governor acknowledged the persistent challenges, including reaching children in remote and insecure communities, as well as tackling vaccine hesitancy. She reiterated the state’s commitment to revitalising primary health care facilities, deploying innovative supply chain solutions, and sustaining community engagement.

(NAN)