A promise written in footsteps

Before the sun rises over Bangel Gabas settlement in Katsina State, Amina Abubakar begins her day. Carrying her three-month-old son in a traditional striped cloth, she slips her immunisation card into the fold of her dress and starts walking towards the PHC.

The path to the Primary Health Care (PHC) centre in Debe Geri is sandy and uneven. The journey takes nearly an hour each way. With no reminders or announcements, her commitment alone drives her to ensure her child receives essential immunisation services.

“My mother taught me that this is how you protect a child,” she says. “No distance is too far for that.”

Her decision may be quiet, but its impact is significant. Timely vaccination in Katsina State can make the difference between protection and risk.

As Nigeria marks African Vaccination Week 2026 under the theme “For every generation, vaccines work,” Amina’s Walk reflects the meaning of routine immunisation at the community level and the systems required to sustain it.

Where Katsina stands today

Katsina State remains a priority for immunisation in Nigeria. Over recent years, reports show that vaccination coverage has improved, with Penta 3 increasing from 33.7% to 53.3% (NDHS 2018; NDHS 2023–24), and a decline in vaccine preventable diseases such as measles and polio (SORMAS 2025). However, progress has not been evenly distributed.

Children in remote, nomadic and underserved communities continue to face long distances to health facilities, inconsistent service availability and uncertainty about services. For these families, routine immunisation requires community commitment, trust and reliable systems.

“When services are disrupted, confidence is affected,” says Hajiya Muhammad Sahura, Katsina State Immunization Officer. “Consistency is critical for families to keep bringing their children.”

These challenges are being addressed within Nigeria’s broader commitment to universal health coverage (UHC) and through health sector reforms such as the Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR) policy, which aims to improve coordination and accountability in service delivery.

A national push, felt locally

In October 2025, the Federal Government of Nigeria launched a nationwide combined vaccination campaign to accelerate progress towards national immunisation goals. Led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), with implementation by states and support from partners including the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Gavi, the campaign aimed to protect an estimated 106 million children against measles, rubella and poliovirus.

During phases 1 and 2, approximately 103 million children aged 9 months to 14 years were vaccinated with the measles rubella vaccine across the country, including Katsina State (NPHCDA, 2026). Vaccination services were provided through health facilities, mobile outreach teams and house to house visits. For mothers like Amina, these changes were practical and immediate: the clinic opened as scheduled, vaccines were available, and health workers were present.

Strengthening routine immunisation systems

Under the leadership of the Katsina State Government and aligned with Nigeria’s National Immunisation Strategy and Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), efforts have focused not only on campaigns but on strengthening routine immunisation systems year-round.

WHO has supported these efforts through technical assistance to improve microplanning, cold chain monitoring and identification of zero dose and under immunised communities. During the 2025–2026 campaign cycle, according to pre implementation data on training and advocacy, communications and social mobilisation (ACSM)/Call in data 2025, more than 850 health workers were trained and supported, and over 500 community mobilisers were equipped to engage households and address concerns using locally trusted voices.

These combined actions contributed to improved service availability, increased first time vaccination and strengthened health worker capacity. “Our focus is ensuring routine services work consistently for families,” says Dr Adamu Abdulnasir, WHO Katsina State Coordinator.

“That means supporting systems so that when a mother arrives, vaccines are available, staff are prepared, and data helps us track who has been missed.”

During African Vaccination Week 2026 alone, health teams in Katsina vaccinated over 35,000 children in their first year of life and over 4,600 children in their second year of life (zero dose and defaulters) with various lifesaving vaccines.

Progress — and remaining gaps

Despite gains, challenges remain. Pentavalent vaccine (Penta 3) coverage in Katsina is estimated at 53.3% according to the NDHS 2024 report—slightly below the national average of 53.4% and far short of the 90% target set under IA2030. Each percentage point represents thousands of children who remain at risk of preventable disease.

“Vaccines are safe, effective and provided free of charge,” adds Hajiya Muhammad Sahura. “Families are encouraged to visit their nearest primary health centre for routine immunisation, even outside campaign periods. Protection should not depend on chance.”

Sustaining the promise

The Government of Nigeria continues to prioritise routine immunisation and primary healthcare strengthening under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp). Complemented by continued support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other development partners, planned investments for forthcoming cycles include strengthening immunisation systems and cold chain infrastructure, zero dose child initiatives and immunisation service delivery aimed at improving equitable access to vaccination services across Nigeria (Gavi, 2025), in line with Nigeria’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

WHO remains committed to supporting federal and state authorities to translate these commitments into sustained action, working alongside government institutions, donors and partners to close immunity gaps and protect every child.

These efforts are supported by partners including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other immunisation partners.

When Amina leaves the clinic, she carries her son and the reassurance that comes from dependable services. For families across Katsina, access to vaccination is not an abstract goal — it is a commitment defined by consistency, trust and the steps taken to protect the next generation.