MSF and Borno Health Ministry Vaccinate Nearly 500,000 Children Against Diphtheria

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), working alongside the Borno State Ministry of Health, has successfully finished a major vaccination drive for children under 14 in Maiduguri.

This effort comes as Nigeria struggles with one of its most severe diphtheria outbreaks.

Diphtheria is a dangerous bacterial infection that spreads through respiratory droplets. Symptoms often include a sore throat, fever, and a thick membrane in the throat that makes breathing difficult. Left untreated, the disease can be fatal, as the bacteria produce toxins that may damage organs like the heart and kidneys.

A statement from MSF confirmed that the first phase, which ran from February 9 to 15, exceeded initial goals by reaching 490,000 children. A follow-up round conducted in April helped reinforce immunity for 360,000 of those previously vaccinated. Despite these achievements, MSF noted that a limited supply of vaccines hindered the full potential of their response.

Nao Muramoto, the emergency coordinator for MSF, explained that this initiative is a vital step in controlling the spread of the infection in Maiduguri, which serves as a central hub for the outbreak. Since 2023, MSF has managed over 7,400 suspected cases in Borno, with more than 4,200 appearing in the last year alone.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reports that since the outbreak began in May 2022, there have been over 65,000 suspected cases and more than 2,000 deaths. Factors like population displacement, insecurity, and gaps in routine immunisation have made Borno State a primary area of concern.

During this campaign, MSF provided essential logistics, including transport and cold-chain storage, while the state government supplied the vaccines. The effort also helped identify more cases, as increased community awareness led to more patients seeking care at the Maiduguri Teaching and Training Hospital.

Beyond Borno, MSF continues to assist local authorities in Bauchi, Kano, and Sokoto. Health experts emphasise that preventing future surges will require consistent routine immunisation, improved healthcare access in volatile regions, and a greater supply of vaccines to protect vulnerable children across the nation.