The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) in Nigeria has issued a strong call for enhanced immunisation coverage nationwide to combat the escalating spread of measles. During a recent media roundtable in Abuja, Joseph Forbi, an epidemiologist with the CDC Nigeria Global Immunisation Disease (GID), underscored that measles continues to be a primary cause of childhood illness and mortality across the globe. Nigeria, in particular, stands among the top ten countries globally reporting the highest number of measles cases, highlighting an urgent public health challenge.

Mr. Forbi revealed alarming statistics for Nigeria, noting that in 2024, the country reported over 20,000 suspected measles cases, with approximately 10,000 confirmed. The vast majority of these confirmed cases occurred among unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children. Despite the severity of these figures, immunisation coverage in Nigeria remains critically low, with only 60 percent of children receiving their first dose of the measles vaccine on schedule. This leaves approximately three million Nigerian children currently unprotected against the highly contagious disease. Furthermore, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, every state in Nigeria has experienced measles outbreaks, many of which are still ongoing.

Globally, the situation is also concerning. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there were an estimated 10.3 million measles cases worldwide in 2023, marking a 20 percent increase from 2022. The WHO attributes this surge primarily to inadequate immunisation coverage, emphasizing that while measles is preventable with two doses of the vaccine, over 22 million children missed their first dose in 2023. Globally, about 83 percent of children received their first dose last year, but only 74 percent received the recommended second dose.

Highlighting the inherent dangers, Mr. Forbi described measles as an “extremely infectious disease.” He explained that a single individual with measles can infect between 12 to 18 people who lack immunity. The virus transmits through respiratory droplets or direct contact with contaminated surfaces, remaining active in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. Initial symptoms typically include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Patricia Tanifum, Programme Director of the CDC Nigeria GID, further stressed that measles complications can lead to severe disability or even death, particularly in children.

There is a global objective to eliminate measles by 2030, and while Nigeria currently lags behind this target, significant efforts are underway to bridge the gap. Ms. Tanifum affirmed that the federal government, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), is intensifying its commitment to achieve the 2030 elimination goal. The US CDC is collaborating closely with development partners to support Nigeria's implementation of the National Measles and Rubella Elimination Strategic Plan.

The Nigerian government has adopted a strategic plan focused on strengthening routine immunisation, enhancing disease surveillance, and improving outbreak response. This plan includes the provision of two doses of the measles-containing vaccine at no cost to children: the first dose (MCV1) at nine months and the second dose (MCV2) at 15 months. Due to persistent efforts from Nigeria and collaborative support from the CDC and its partners, there has been a recent decline in reported measles cases and deaths. For instance, in the first five months of 2025, Nigeria reported fewer cases compared to the same period in 2024, with epidemiological week 22 of 2025 showing 6,238 suspected cases and 1,403 confirmed cases, a decrease from 8,405 suspected and 1,953 confirmed cases in the same week of 2024.

To bolster the government’s initiatives, the US CDC provided crucial technical assistance during mass vaccination campaigns in 2023 and 2024, targeting children aged nine to 59 months across 26 states. The CDC has also played a vital role in strengthening the national laboratory network for measles and rubella testing, establishing six zonal laboratories, one state laboratory, and a national reference laboratory. Additionally, the centre has provided repeated in-country training and supplied essential reagents for serologic and molecular diagnosis of measles. Currently, the CDC is focused on reinforcing measles surveillance and outbreak response mechanisms to detect, respond to, and promptly contain outbreaks. Furthermore, the organisation is assisting with preparations for the upcoming 2025/2026 mass vaccination catch-up campaign, which aims to vaccinate over 100 million children aged nine months to 15 years across the country. Nigeria has also secured a GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, grant to further support these extensive immunisation efforts.