By Gabriel Ameh
📍Maiduguri | Media360Impact Report
A major vaccination campaign led by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in partnership with the Borno State Ministry of Health has reached hundreds of thousands of children in Maiduguri as efforts intensify to curb Nigeria’s worsening diphtheria outbreak.
The campaign, targeting children up to 14 years old in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), was carried out in two phases between February and April 2026.
During the first round held from February 9 to 15, over 490,000 children were vaccinated—significantly surpassing the initial target of 387,000. A second round followed from April 9 to 15, focusing on strengthening immunity among approximately 360,000 of those previously reached.
Despite the success, limited vaccine supply restricted the scale of the intervention.
Nigeria continues to battle one of its most severe diphtheria outbreaks in recent history. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), more than 65,000 suspected cases and over 2,200 deaths have been recorded since 2022, with an official outbreak declared in 2023.
Borno State remains one of the hardest-hit regions. Since 2023, MSF has treated over 7,400 suspected cases in the state, including 4,200 within the past year alone. The organisation is also supporting response efforts in Bauchi, Kano and Sokoto states.
Diphtheria is a highly infectious bacterial disease that spreads through respiratory droplets or contact with infected wounds. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, swollen glands and a thick membrane in the throat that can obstruct breathing. Without proper treatment, the disease can be fatal in up to 30 percent of unvaccinated individuals, especially young children.
MSF provided extensive logistical support for the campaign, including vaccine storage, transportation, health promotion and supervision of vaccination teams, while the Borno State Ministry of Health supplied the vaccines.
Speaking on the intervention, MSF Emergency Coordinator, Nao Muramoto, said the campaign would significantly strengthen immunity among children in Maiduguri, the epicentre of many reported cases.
The vaccination exercise also led to increased detection and referrals, as more suspected cases were reported at the diphtheria treatment unit at Maiduguri Teaching and Training Hospital.
Health experts, however, warn that sustained routine immunisation, improved access to hard-to-reach communities, and efforts to address vaccine hesitancy remain critical to preventing future outbreaks.
MSF reiterated the urgent need for increased vaccine supply to protect vulnerable populations and reduce transmission rates across affected communities.
Beyond vaccination, the organisation continues to support maternal and child healthcare services in Maiduguri, including emergency obstetric care and treatment for malnourished children.
