Kaduna State has launched a massive vaccination drive aimed at immunizing 4.2 million children against measles and rubella, in a bold step to protect the next generation from deadly but preventable diseases.
The campaign, which began on October 18, 2025, is part of a nationwide effort and involves strong collaboration between the state government, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and other development partners.
Held at the Primary Health Care Centre in Badarawa, the flag-off ceremony attracted hundreds of parents, children, and stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders. The initiative targets children aged 9 months to 14 years across all 23 local government areas of Kaduna.
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Dr. Hamza Ibrahim Ikara, Director of Disease Control and Immunization in the state, revealed the gravity of the challenge Kaduna faces with “zero-dose” children those who have never received any form of immunization.
“Nigeria has 100 Local Government Areas affected by the zero-dose challenge, and Kaduna accounts for 10 of them, representing nearly 10% of the national total,” he stated. “For this Measles and Rubella vaccination campaign, we are targeting 4.2 million children across the 23 LGAs of Kaduna State.”
Dr. Ikara highlighted that the number of zero-dose children is on the decline thanks to the active partnership between the government and key health organizations.
Speaking from the federal level, Yusuf Yusufari, Deputy Director of Immunization and Disease Control at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to Nigeria’s immunization programs.
“Nigeria has become a global example of what can be achieved in protecting children and women from preventable diseases. Our goal is that no child or woman in Nigeria should die from diseases that vaccines can prevent,” he said.
Yusufari emphasized that this goal aligns with the vision of Mr. Bill Gates, who pledged $200 billion over the next 20 years to support global health initiatives.
He praised Nigeria’s resilience and described the country’s wild polio-free certification as a global success story.
“Our goal is that no child or woman in Nigeria should die from diseases that vaccines can prevent,” Yusufari said, adding that the foundation, inspired by Bill Gates’ $200 billion global health pledge, remains a steadfast partner in Nigeria’s health success stories.
The World Health Organization’s Kaduna Field Office also emphasized the urgency and importance of the campaign. Mallam Suleiman Mohammed, WHO Data Officer, described the initiative as a “golden opportunity” to combat the rise in reported measles cases across the state.
“As we all know, measles is a deadly disease, and many cases are being reported across the state and other parts of the region. This campaign gives us a chance to change that narrative,” he said. Mohammed added that over 2,000 supervisors had been deployed across the state to monitor the campaign and ensure real-time intervention when necessary.
Abdullahi Musa, the State Incident Manager at the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, explained, that the state is very well prepared because they have been planning for this Measles and Rubella campaign for the past three months, adding that the coordination is being managed from the Emergency Operations Centre.
Muhammad Gambo, Chairman of Kaduna North LGA, said, the Local Government is in full support of the exercise, adding that they have provided 50 vaccine carriers and additional vaccination teams across wards such as Maiburuji, Kawo, Hayin Banki, Ungwar Shanu, and Ungwar Rimi.”
Alhaji Ashiru Mohammed Wada, representing the District Head of Kawo, said they have educated residents about the importance of this vaccination, urging parents to bring their children out to be vaccinated and help keep the communities healthy.
