Global health stakeholders launch initiatives to reach zero-dose children

Stakeholders in Nigeria and India are launching initiatives to address the ‘zero-dose’ child population and improve routine immunisation coverage.

In Kano State, Nigeria, the BOOST Project and the Kano Community of Practice on Immunisation and Accountability (KN-CoP) have strengthened partnerships with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM). The collaboration aims to reach under-immunised children by addressing barriers such as healthcare worker attitudes, financial constraints, and limited public awareness. NANNM is mapping healthcare workers to fill service gaps in hard-to-reach areas like Dala, Kano Municipal, and Gwale.

In Meghalaya, India, the Community of Practice for Demand (CoP-D) has launched a six-to-eight-month pilot intervention in the East Khasi Hills district. Supporting the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s zero-dose agenda, the pilot focuses on the Mylliem and Mawkynrew blocks. The program utilizes a community-centred approach to identify missed children, engage families, and strengthen the demand for routine vaccinations through inter-departmental collaboration.