Gavi Pledges $3 Million to Boost Immunization and Primary Healthcare in Kaduna

In a major push to improve child health and routine immunization in Nigeria, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has announced a $3 million investment for Kaduna State. This funding, which will be spread over the next two years, is expected to significantly strengthen routine immunization efforts and bolster primary healthcare delivery in the state. It also reinforces Gavi’s ongoing mission to support countries in reaching every child with life-saving vaccines, especially those in hard-to-reach and underserved areas.

Jessica Crawford, Gavi’s Senior Country Manager for Nigeria, made the announcement during a high-level visit to Kaduna. The trip involved engagements with key government officials, strategy sessions with partner organizations, and on-the-ground visits to several health facilities. According to Crawford, the investment is not only a continuation of Gavi’s support for Kaduna but a strategic move to accelerate progress toward universal vaccine coverage and eliminate gaps in access.

She praised Kaduna State for showing strong leadership, coordination, and measurable progress in routine immunization over the past few years. According to her, this additional funding will help expand that success even further. The goal is to reach children who have never received any vaccinations—commonly referred to as “zero-dose children”—as well as to improve access to vaccines across the state.

This funding is part of Gavi’s broader Health System Strengthening grant, a mechanism designed to improve vaccine delivery systems in partnership with national and local governments. In Kaduna, the project will be implemented through a close collaboration between the Kaduna State Government, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and other stakeholders involved in immunization and health service delivery.

Crawford explained that Gavi’s work in Nigeria has already included the supply of cold chain equipment, direct procurement of vaccines, emergency outbreak response support, and workforce training. With this new investment, the focus will shift to resolving disparities in vaccine coverage and expanding access to remote areas that often fall through the cracks.

“Over the past seven years, Gavi has supported Kaduna through various initiatives, including equipment provision, vaccine logistics, and health worker training. We are excited to deepen our partnership with the state and continue working toward ensuring that no child is left unprotected,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, Hassan Ousmane, who heads the Routine Immunization department at the NPHCDA, shed more light on the national structure that supports immunization efforts across Nigeria. He noted that the federal government plays a central role by procuring vaccines for all states and ensuring availability nationwide. This means that while organizations like Gavi contribute through funding and technical support, the federal government remains the backbone of the immunization supply chain.

“Vaccines for all Nigerian children are centrally procured through the NPHCDA. What Gavi and other partners bring to the table is critical support—whether in the form of funding, equipment, or technical expertise—to help states optimize their healthcare systems and deliver vaccines more effectively,” Ousmane said.

He also shared that Gavi’s overall commitment to Nigeria includes a national investment of $13 million over the next three years. This funding comes with a cost-sharing model, where state governments are expected to make their own counterpart contributions to ensure sustainability and local ownership of the program.

Dr. Barkunawa Bello, the Deputy Director of Routine Immunization at the NPHCDA and the Gavi Desk Officer, gave more insight into the ongoing challenge of reaching zero-dose children. He explained that a zero-dose child is any child under the age of 23 months who has not received the first dose of the pentavalent vaccine, commonly known as Penta 1. These children are the most vulnerable and often reside in the most difficult-to-reach communities.

In 2022, Nigeria had an estimated 2.3 million zero-dose children. While this number has since been reduced to 2.1 million, the country still faces one of the largest zero-dose burdens globally. Kaduna, along with Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, and Bayelsa, has been identified as a key priority state for Gavi’s intensified immunization support.

Dr. Bello stressed that increasing immunization coverage is not only a medical issue but also a social one. Community engagement is essential. He emphasized that religious leaders, traditional rulers, and local influencers have a huge role to play in encouraging parents to bring their children for vaccination.

“We are not just relying on logistics and medical infrastructure. We are working closely with communities to build trust, address misinformation, and overcome vaccine hesitancy. Everyone has a role—from health workers to parents to community leaders,” he said.

Kaduna’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, expressed appreciation for Gavi’s continued partnership. She described the new funding as a welcome reinforcement of the state’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the health and future of its children.

Dr. Balarabe highlighted some of the progress Kaduna has made with the help of partners like Gavi, NPHCDA, UNICEF, and the Gates Foundation. These include expanding vaccine coverage across the state, strengthening cold-chain systems, training frontline health workers, and modernizing data collection to better track health outcomes.

“Our collaboration with Gavi and other partners has brought real, tangible benefits to the people of Kaduna. We now have more trained health workers, better equipment, and more reliable data systems. These translate into healthier children, stronger families, and more resilient communities,” she said.

However, she also acknowledged the challenges that remain. Many communities are still located in remote, hard-to-reach, or even insecure areas, making regular immunization a logistical nightmare. In addition, vaccine hesitancy, fueled by misinformation and cultural resistance, remains a barrier.

Despite these obstacles, Dr. Balarabe reaffirmed Kaduna State’s commitment to revitalizing primary healthcare infrastructure, exploring innovative supply chain solutions, and keeping community engagement at the center of its health strategy.

The announcement of Gavi’s $3 million pledge marks an important milestone for Kaduna and signals a renewed commitment to improving child health and preventing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. If the program achieves its goals, it could become a model for how partnerships between governments and international organizations can deliver sustainable and impactful health outcomes.