Measles and rubella vaccine delivery gets major push as C-WINS urges states to budget and coordinate ahead of nationwide October immunisation campaign

The Centre for Wellbeing and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS) has urged state governments to prioritise funding and planning for the measles and rubella vaccine, ahead of a nationwide immunisation rollout scheduled for October 2025.

Also read: Nigeria Battles Immunization Gap Crisis as 2 Million Children Miss Vaccines

In a statement signed by its Head of Mission for the Advocacy Project, Dr Mahmud Zubairu, the organisation stressed that Nigeria’s successful elimination of the two diseases depends on more than just access to vaccines.

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

The centre warned that poor coordination between state and local governments, cold-chain limitations in rural communities, and unstable leadership structures had continued to hinder access to the measles and rubella vaccine.

It urged states to emulate the Federal Government by including MR vaccine delivery in their health budgets.

Measles remains one of the top causes of preventable childhood deaths in Nigeria, while rubella can cause Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) in unborn children, resulting in lifelong disabilities such as deafness, blindness, or intellectual impairment.

C-WINS noted that misdiagnosis of either disease remains a serious challenge, particularly in primary health centres.

To support inclusive outreach, C-WINS announced a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to reach vulnerable groups, including out-of-school children and street youth.

It also revealed plans to collaborate with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to integrate awareness campaigns into orientation programmes nationwide.

The centre called on key ministries—Health, Information, Education, Women’s Affairs, and Budget and National Planning—to work under a unified national communication framework for the measles and rubella vaccine campaign.

Regulatory and public health agencies including NAFDAC, NCDC, and the National Orientation Agency were also encouraged to align their efforts.

In an advocacy breakthrough, C-WINS said a coalition involving the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, Health Sector Reform Coalition, and National Health Advocates had secured a commitment from the Budget Office for Nigeria’s equity funding in the 2025 fiscal year.

Tanimu Yakubu, Director-General of the Budget Office, reportedly pledged the timely release of funds to support cold-chain logistics, essential for preserving vaccine quality, especially in off-grid areas.

The statement further revealed that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation would soon constitute an inter-ministerial oversight committee for the campaign, pending presidential authorisation.

This committee would ensure better coordination across ministries and agencies.

As part of its outreach strategy, the Federal Ministry of Information is already deploying content through multiple platforms—radio, television, print, school-based initiatives, and direct engagement with local communities—to promote the vaccine and reduce misinformation.

Also read: UNICEF Praises Fathers for Good Health Initiative in Bauchi

With weeks to go before the campaign begins, C-WINS reiterated that without urgent state-level funding and inter-agency synergy, Nigeria risks missing a crucial opportunity to eliminate measles and rubella vaccine-preventable diseases once and for all.