The federal government launched a nationwide integrated vaccination campaign to close immunity gaps against life-threatening diseases among children and adolescents on Wednesday.

The campaign, officially flagged off by Nigeria’s first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, was led by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as other partners, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Gates Foundation, and UNICEF, among others.

The measles-rubella and polio integrated campaign targets children aged nine months to 14 years and children under five years for the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2).

The drive will also deliver malaria chemoprevention vaccines for children aged three to 59 months, treatments for neglected tropical diseases (NTD) for children aged five and above, and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines for girls aged nine years.

The exercise is expected to be rolled out in two phases and four streams over a 10-day schedule and subsequently followed by a two-day mop-up exercise.

The first phase, scheduled for October, will target the northern states and deliver the integrated measles-rubella and polio vaccines.

Specifically, Kano, Yobe, and Oyo States will incorporate NTD, measles-rubella, polio, and malaria interventions, while the southern states will conduct stand-alone MR campaigns in early 2026.

The government noted that other routine immunisation antigens will be available for eligible residents in zero-dose local government areas. 

Applauding the initiative, Mrs Tinubu stated that the vaccination drive, as a government effort, will offer children lifelong protection.

“This effort builds on our united front against polio, tuberculosis, HPV, and other vaccine-preventable diseases. With these vaccines, our children will be protected and enjoy a lifetime of safety,” Mrs Tinubu said. 

Commenting, the World Health Organisation (WHO) deputy country representative, Alex Chimbaru, noted that the campaign was a defining step towards ensuring health security for Nigeria and the continent of Africa.

“It reflects national leadership and collective commitment to ensure that every child, wherever they live, is protected against preventable diseases,” Mr Chimbaru said.

In his remarks, the minister of health and social welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, stated that the campaign will be “a proof of what strong leadership, community engagement, and partnership can achieve and to ensure that every child in Nigeria is reached and protected.”

The chairman of the Senate committee on health, Ipalibo Harry-Balingo, praised the integrated initiative, stressing that “it reinforces routine immunisation, strengthens the health system, and contributes to national health security.”

Other dignitaries at the flag-off ceremony were traditional and religious leaders, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III; Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; and the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Daniel Okoh, all of whom pledged support and community mobilization for the vaccination campaign.