WHO Supports Nigerian Government in Efforts to Eradicate Measles

WHO Logo image from who.int

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In November 2019, the government of Nigeria has administered measles and meningitis vaccines to over 28 million children in northern Nigeria. The vaccination campaign was led by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, in coordination with international partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

WHO has reported the measles continues to be the leading cause of death among children globally despite the availability of vaccines that could prevent the disease. As Nigeria pushed to eradicate measles in its territories, WHO was committed to helping the Nigerian government in reaching all children eligible for measles vaccines, even up to the far-flung areas of the country.

More than 44,000 health workers have been trained by WHO to facilitate the vaccination. They were part of the 17,000 immunization teams who were mobilized for the campaign. WHO and the Nigerian government hoped that the campaign would solve the low routine immunization coverage Nigeria has experienced in recent years which led to the repeated measles outbreak.