Nigeria’s Diphtheria Outbreak Needs Routine Vaccination, Not Repeated Emergency Responses

Nigeria’s diphtheria outbreak continues to claim preventable lives. More than 10,000 cases have been confirmed in 2026, with northern states accounting for most infections. Kano remains the epicentre, while fresh clusters have also been reported in Borno, Bauchi, Plateau and Katsina. Most confirmed cases involve people who were never vaccinated. This points to persistent gaps in routine immunisation, especially among zero-dose and under-immunised children. Emergency vaccination campaigns and improved access to antitoxin have reduced deaths, but they cannot replace a reliable system that prevents outbreaks before they begin. Federal and state health authorities should sustain routine vaccination, strengthen vaccine and antitoxin supplies, expand mobile outreach to insecure and hard-to-reach areas, and improve laboratory surveillance. Public information in local languages is also needed to tackle vaccine hesitancy. Diphtheria is preventable. Nigeria has the vaccines, treatment tools and health partners required to stop recurring outbreaks. What is needed now is consistent action to ensure every eligible child is protected.

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