Gavi, partners intensify grassroots immunisation campaign in Abuja

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) and its partners are ramping up a grassroots immunisation campaign in Abuja to vaccinate zero-dose children in underserved communities. About 100 mothers in Ruga, Abuja, are currently waiting for their children to be immunised. The initiative, supported by Gavi and implemented with community-based organisations, aims to close immunisation gaps by reaching children who have never received routine vaccines, especially in remote and mobile communities.

Gavi's Deputy Team Leader, Lizzie Towl, emphasised the critical importance of vaccinating these children to protect them against preventable diseases. To identify zero-dose children, Gavi is using KoboCollect to capture information and reconcile community-level data with health facility records. The organisation is also working with traditional rulers, community leaders, and village development committees to address cultural barriers and misinformation that prevent children from accessing vaccines.