- MSF launches a vaccination drive for children under five.
- Over 53,000 children vaccinated, with a 57% drop in measles cases in Zamfara.
- Local leaders are partnering with MSF to bridge Nigeria’s immunisation gap.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has initiated an extensive vaccination drive aimed at reducing the spread of measles, diphtheria, and other vaccine-preventable diseases in the region.
EKO HOT BLOG gathered that in 2024 alone, MSF treated over 17,000 measles cases in Nigeria, highlighting the critical need for robust preventive measures.
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The campaign is primarily targeting children under five by administering both the measles and Penta-5 vaccines—the latter protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, whooping cough, and Haemophilus influenza type B. Additionally, catch-up vaccinations for polio, tuberculosis, and other illnesses are being offered to children who missed their earlier immunisations.
The drive covers several local government areas—including Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Wamako, and Dange Shuni—as well as rural communities. In its first phase, the initiative successfully vaccinated 53,095 children, with an impressive 63 percent receiving their first-ever vaccine dose.
“Measles is particularly dangerous for young children, especially those who are malnourished or suffer from other health issues,” warned Dr. Ahmad Bilal, MSF Head of Mission in Nigeria. He explained that measles can significantly weaken the immune system, thereby exacerbating malnutrition and potentially leading to severe complications or death.
In Zamfara’s Gummi LGA, the MSF team vaccinated more than 51,000 children in 2024, which resulted in a 57 percent decline in measles cases at Gummi General Hospital compared to the previous year.
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Despite these concerted efforts, Nigeria continues to struggle with a substantial immunisation gap. According to the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), over six million children have missed all vaccinations in the past five years, placing the country far short of the 95 percent vaccination coverage needed to effectively prevent outbreaks.
To close this gap, MSF is working closely with community and religious leaders to raise awareness and mobilise support for the vaccination campaigns. “Community leaders have been instrumental in granting access to their communities and encouraging parents to vaccinate their children,” stated Juliet Umenge, MSF Health Promotion Manager.
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