Gavi partners target zero-dose children in Abuja

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation and development partners intensified efforts to identify and vaccinate zero-dose children in underserved communities in Abuja, Nigeria.

The initiative aims to reach children who have never received routine vaccines, especially those living in mobile or hard-to-reach areas. Chika Offor of the Vaccine Network for Disease Control oversaw an immunisation exercise where children of various ages received their first doses.

Some children were more than 12 months old and had never received a pentavalent vaccine, while others were between six and eight weeks old. The team used KoboCollect to identify zero-dose children and reconcile community data with health facility records. Oyeyemi Pitan, the founder of GEM Hub Initiative, stated that misinformation and cultural barriers often prevent children in certain settlements from receiving vaccines. Her organisation works with traditional rulers and village development committees to address these misconceptions.

Because residents move frequently between settlements, Pitan noted that sustained community-based mobilisation is necessary to ensure every child is reached. Lizzie Towl, a deputy team leader for Gavi, and Denisa Nguyenova of Mannion Daniels emphasized that protecting children requires collective action involving the community and the health system. They urged stakeholders to maintain engagement with traditional leaders and household members to improve the acceptance of vaccinations.