In a major effort to eliminate measles in Nigeria, the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) is supporting the Nigerian government in a nationwide measles vaccination campaign set to commence in October 2025.
The campaign, which will begin in the northern states and expand to the southern region in early 2026, aims to vaccinate over 100 million children, making it one of the largest immunisation drives in the country’s history.
Dr Joseph Forbi, epidemiologist with the CDC Nigeria Global Immunisation Division (GID), disclosed this during a media roundtable in Abuja focused on measles and its impact in Nigeria.
“In 2024 alone, Nigeria recorded over 20,000 suspected cases of measles, with nearly 10,000 confirmed in laboratories. Most of these occurred in children who were unvaccinated or under-vaccinated,” Dr Forbi stated.
He noted that measles remains a leading cause of childhood illness and death globally, and Nigeria is among the top ten countries worst affected.
According to him, Nigeria’s first-dose measles vaccine coverage stands at only 60%, significantly lower than the 95% required for herd immunity. An estimated three million children in the country have never received a single dose of the measles vaccine.
“Following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, all 36 states in Nigeria have experienced measles outbreaks, with the northeast and northwest zones recording the highest burden,” he added.
Measles: One of the World’s Most Infectious Diseases
Dr Forbi described measles as extremely infectious, warning that a single infected person can transmit the virus to up to 1 to 18 individuals. This, he said, far exceeds the infectivity rates of diseases like HIV and COVID-19.
He explained that transmission begins about four days before the onset of rash and can continue up to four days after, with the virus able to remain airborne for two hours. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, Koplik spots in the mouth, and a distinct rash.
Complications occur in 30% of cases, ranging from diarrhoea, pneumonia, and ear infections to severe outcomes like encephalitis and a rare but fatal condition known as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE).
Strategic Support and Resources Mobilised
To combat the challenge, Nigeria has adopted the Measles Elimination Strategic Plan 2030 and endorsed the World Health Assembly’s Immunisation Agenda 2030.
“The government now provides routine measles vaccine doses at nine and fifteen months of age and will introduce the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine as part of the upcoming campaign,” Dr Forbi said.
He outlined the U.S. CDC’s robust support, including:
- Deployment of senior epidemiologists to assist states,
- Provision of laboratory reagents and training for molecular testing,
- Development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and outbreak response curricula,
- Use of GIS-based microplanning to reach remote communities.
Already, 1,475 health workers have been trained across 13 northern states, and eight laboratories have been designated and equipped to strengthen outbreak tracking and response.
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Dr Forbi disclosed that Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has committed nearly $33 million to the initiative. Advanced data tools like Power BI are being used to improve real-time monitoring and response efficiency.
However, he warned that continued progress depends on government funding, public awareness, and community engagement, especially in conflict-affected areas where vaccination teams face security challenges.
“The measles vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines ever developed. Vaccinated children can stay in school, and parents can focus on work without the burden of managing preventable illnesses,” he said.
He urged parents to complete their children’s immunisation schedules and called on the media to dispel myths and raise awareness.
CDC Reaffirms Commitment to Nigeria’s Measles Elimination Agenda
In her opening remarks, Dr Patricia Tanifum, Programme Director of the CDC Nigeria Global Immunisation Division, reiterated the U.S. CDC’s commitment to Nigeria’s goal of eliminating measles and rubella by 2030.
“Nigeria may be slightly behind schedule, but real progress is being made. Measles is a preventable disease, and its complications can lead to death or disability,” she said.
Dr Tanifum stressed the need for continued collaboration with stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and local communities.
“Our shared goal is to ensure that no child dies from a disease we can prevent,” she added.
The upcoming campaign is expected to serve as a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against vaccine-preventable diseases and a step forward in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).