Strengthening Immunization and Health Systems: AFENET Nigeria’s Ongoing Efforts to Protect Communities

Targeted Local Response to Halt cVPV2 Transmission

In an effort to curb the spread of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2), AFENET Nigeria, with technical and financial support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), collaborated with the Government of Nigeria to conduct a targeted local response in seven states from February 22 to 25, 2025.

During the campaign, children aged 0-59 months in high-risk communities received two drops of the oral polio vaccine (OPV), ensuring they are protected against this devastating disease. This initiative is part of the National Stop Transmission of Polio (NSTOP) program, which continues to reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining its wild poliovirus (WPV)-free status, following the country’s certification in 2020.

By strengthening routine immunization and ensuring that no child is left behind, AFENET and its partners remain dedicated to stopping all forms of poliovirus transmission and improving the overall health security of communities.

Growing Expertise in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (GEMEL) Fellowship

AFENET Nigeria is also leading efforts to enhance monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) capacity through the Growing Expertise in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (GEMEL) Fellowship, a flagship initiative under the Zero-Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) Nigeria.

On February 18, 2025, AFENET kicked off the second didactic phase of the fellowship, bringing together participants from the first phase for a three-day intensive training. Launched in November 2024, the 10-week hybrid program blends classroom instruction with practical field experience, aiming to:

✅ Strengthen MEL skills for improved program impact
✅ Enhance advocacy and stakeholder engagement
✅ Promote effective budget tracking for sustainable funding
✅ Develop mentorship capabilities to support subnational teams

During this second training phase, participants honed critical skills such as data analysis with Microsoft Excel, presentation techniques, work planning, and communication strategies. They also presented assignments from the previous session, receiving valuable feedback for continuous improvement.

The Zero-Dose Learning Hub is an initiative supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and implemented by a consortium led by AFENET, in collaboration with the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN).

Advancing Immunization Financing and Addressing Gender Barriers

To further drive sustainable immunization efforts, the Zero-Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) Nigeria hosted its sixth webinar on February 26, 2025, focusing on sustainable immunization financing and gender-related barriers that hinder vaccine access, particularly for marginalized communities.

The webinar brought together global immunization experts, who shared insights on:

🔹 Strategies for building a resilient and inclusive immunization system
🔹 Innovative approaches to ensuring financial sustainability for immunization programs
🔹 Findings from AFENET-ZDLH’s research on gender barriers affecting vaccine uptake

With over 150 participants from across the world, the session provided a comprehensive discussion on foreign funding opportunities, practical solutions for tackling zero-dose challenges, and actionable strategies to enhance immunization equity.

A dynamic Q&A session allowed for meaningful engagement, fostering a stimulating exchange of ideas to drive sustainable solutions in immunization financing and health service delivery.

AFENET Nigeria continues to play a major role in strengthening public health systems, advancing disease surveillance, and ensuring that communities remain protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. Through strategic partnerships, innovative training programs, and targeted immunization campaigns, AFENET remains committed to its mission of safeguarding public health and improving health security across Nigeria and beyond.