Foundation seeks state funding for measles vaccination drive

State governments have been urged to create dedicated budgetary allocations for the delivery of the Measles-Rubella vaccine, ahead of a nationwide rollout scheduled for October.

The call was made by the Centre for Wellbeing and Integrated Nutrition Solutions, in a statement by its Head of Mission for the Advocacy Project, Dr Mahmud Zubairu.

C-WINS stressed the need for improved collaboration between states and local government authorities to eliminate measles and rubella in Nigeria, noting that efforts had been hindered by “competing budget priorities, leadership instability, and cold-chain limitations in rural areas.”

The statement read, “Eliminating measles and rubella in Nigeria will require more than vaccines—it will demand political leadership, inter-agency synergy, and sustained citizen engagement.”

The centre urged state governments to emulate the Federal Government by including MR vaccine delivery in their budgets and strengthening coordination with local councils.

It warned that measles remained a major threat to children in Nigeria, adding that the upcoming MR vaccine campaign aimed at preventing avoidable childhood deaths and congenital disabilities.

The group also raised concerns about the risk of misdiagnosis of measles and rubella, which could result in severe outcomes such as Congenital Rubella Syndrome in unborn children, as well as lifelong complications including deafness, blindness, and intellectual disabilities.

To ensure inclusivity, the centre announced a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to target vulnerable populations as part of the immunisation effort.

C-WINS also revealed plans to collaborate with the National Youth Service Corps to integrate vaccine awareness into its orientation programmes, thereby reaching young Nigerians nationwide.

Furthermore, the centre called on the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and key ministries, including health, information, education, women’s affairs, and budget and national planning, to align with the national communication strategy for measles-rubella eradication.

It also emphasised the need for synergy between regulatory and public health bodies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, and the National Orientation Agency.

Highlighting recent developments, the centre noted that during an advocacy meeting held in February, a coalition led by C-WINS, including the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, the Health Sector Reform Coalition, and National Health Advocates, secured a commitment from the Budget Office for Nigeria’s equity contribution in the 2025 fiscal year.

The Director-General of the Budget Office, Mr Tanimu Yakubu, reportedly assured that the timely release of funds would be prioritised to support cold-chain systems and ensure uninterrupted vaccine scheduling.

The statement added that an inter-ministerial committee, to be formed under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, would provide unified federal oversight for the MR vaccine campaign, pending presidential approval.

As part of its outreach strategy, the Federal Ministry of Information and its agencies are deploying communication tools across multiple platforms, including radio, television, print media, schools, women’s groups, and direct engagement with street children and out-of-school youth.