Nigeria scales up malaria vaccine rollout amid funding pressures

Nigeria is expanding its malaria vaccination programme to additional states in a renewed push to reduce high malaria burden, even as declining donor support and rising costs place pressure on immunisation financing and distribution systems.

The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Muyi Aina, disclosed on Tuesday in Abuja, during the agency’s first quarterly media conference for 2026.

He noted that the agency got funding from both federal allocations and development partners, particularly Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, adding that external support was declining.

“Countries are now expected to increase domestic financing as global donor resources continue to shrink,” he said.

Nigeria’s malaria vaccine rollout has now moved beyond its initial pilot phase in Bayelsa and Kebbi states to include Bauchi and Ondo, following readiness assessments.

The expansion forms part of a broader effort to integrate malaria vaccination into routine immunisation in high-burden areas.

Aina explained that vaccine financing went beyond procurement alone.

“Vaccine financing covers procurement, outbreak-response, as well as logistics including syringes, waste management systems, incinerators, and cold chain equipment,” he said.

He added that operational costs for nationwide immunisation delivery also represented a significant portion of government investment.

Despite progress in expanding coverage, health officials say the malaria vaccine presents a unique challenge due to its four-dose schedule, which requires consistent follow-up to ensure full protection.

“What is unique about the malaria vaccine is that it requires four doses, and ensuring children return for all doses remains a key challenge,” Aina said.

Dropouts between doses have emerged as a key concern, prompting government efforts to strengthen tracking and follow-up systems across states.

According to Aina, vaccine administration has steadily increased across implementing states:

“In the area of coverage, a total of 984,559 children have received at least one dose in Kebbi and Bayelsa, while Ondo recorded more than 166,342 children and Bauchi 105,890.”

“This brings the total number of children reached to almost 1.3 million,” he said.

He further disclosed that more than 600,000 vaccine doses are currently stored in the national cold chain system for ongoing and future distribution.

Aina described vaccines as one of the most effective and cost-efficient public health interventions, stressing their safety profile.

“Vaccines are much safer and much cheaper than most medicines people buy in stores or use for malaria treatment,” he said.

He noted that vaccines undergo strict testing and regulatory evaluation before approval.

“Vaccines are highly effective in preventing diseases such as measles. Its success often leads to reduced visibility of such diseases in communities,” he emphasised.

He added that: “While all medical interventions, including food and medicines, may have side effects, vaccines remained among the most thoroughly tested and safest preventive tools.”

He called for sustained public confidence in immunisation programmes and health workers.

He also observed that immunisation efforts were often underappreciated despite heavy government investment.

Nigeria’s expansion of malaria vaccination into additional states marks a significant milestone in its public health response to one of the country’s most persistent killers.

However, officials say sustaining progress will depend on improved domestic financing, stronger logistics systems, and ensuring children complete the full four-dose schedule needed for effective protection.

As donor funding tightens and demand rises, the durability of Nigeria’s malaria vaccine rollout will increasingly depend on how quickly domestic systems can carry the weight of a growing immunisation agenda.