$1M Immunization Fund Opens for Innovators Tackling Zero-Dose Challenge in Ethiopia, Nigeria

Save the Children is preparing to open the second round of applications for its $1 million Immunization Innovation Accelerator, a program designed to support grassroots solutions to the persistent challenge of childhood immunization in Ethiopia and Nigeria. The initiative, kicked-off in partnership with the British pharmaceutical multinational GSK, seeks to bolster innovation that targets “zero-dose” children, those who have never received a single routine vaccine. It will assist a total of seven innovative solutions, offering grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, with an average award of $85,000. 

Nigeria, home to between 2.1 million and 2.2 million zero-dose children, has the highest number of unvaccinated children in the world. Ethiopia accounts for an additional one million, signaling the urgency of the problem in the two countries.

Health system limitations, insecurity, and community resistance continue to challenge both countries, contributing to the high number of unvaccinated children. Ermias Teshome, who heads the initiative at Save the Children, says the program is designed to facilitate support towards addressing systemic barriers prevalent in both countries.

To mark the upcoming June 2025 application window, Save the Children hosted a panel discussion at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Addis Ababa under the theme “Accelerating Innovation for Impact and Scale.” The event brought together stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, development partners, and past accelerator recipients to reflect on the program’s first year and share lessons for the future.

Among the panelists was Adane Letta (PhD), Co-founder and General Manager of Habtech Solutions , one of the two inaugural grantees to secure a $100,000 alongside Nigeria’s Center for Integrated Health Programs (CIHP). Adam underscored the importance of institutionalizing innovation to make headway in tackling the immunization crisis.

HabTech’s winning proposal, dubbed ZeroDose care, uses data analytics and visualization to enhance decision-making and address the challenges associated with zero-dose immunization in Ethiopia. 

CIHP, from Nigeria, on the other hand, is piloting a social and behavioral change model based on "positive deviance," mobilizing caregivers who have successfully vaccinated their children despite barriers to share their experiences within communities. 

“With grants of up to $100,000 per project, we’re seeking innovative solutions that tackle both supply- and demand-side barriers to immunization,” said Ermias. 

"These include new products, services, or approaches that drive systemic, behavioral, or educational change,” he told Shega. 

Applications for the second round of the accelerator open in June 2025, with Save the Children encouraging innovators from Ethiopia and Nigeria to submit proposals.