Chad launches nationwide polio vaccination drive with vitamin A and deworming

The Minister of Public Health and Prevention, Dr. Abdelmadjid Abderahim, officially inaugurated this Thursday the nationwide polio vaccination campaign, coupled with vitamin A supplementation and albendazole deworming, set to run from June 5 to 7, 2026. The launch took place at the Atrone Health Center in the 7th arrondissement of N’Djamena.

The Government Delegate to the N’Djamena Province, Amina Kodjienna, emphasized that this supplementary operation reinforces ongoing efforts to safeguard children’s health. She urged household heads to fully cooperate with health teams to ensure all eligible children receive the vaccine.

A representative from Rotary International highlighted the organization’s long-standing commitment to polio eradication. Calling for intensified collaboration, the representative urged parents to support health workers in the fight against the disease.

The UNICEF Representative in Chad, Luciano Calestini, described polio as a devastating illness requiring massive mobilization for eradication. He stressed the need for relentless dedication from all stakeholders and assured that partners remain steadfast in supporting Chad’s children.

The Minister of Public Health underscored that the campaign, spanning the entire country from June 5 to 7, 2026, represents a critical milestone in protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases and improving their nutritional status. He noted that Chad has recorded zero cases of wild poliovirus since June 14, 2012, and was declared free of indigenous wild poliovirus in 2016 by the WHO Regional Certification Commission for Africa.

However, the Minister warned that circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses still pose a significant threat to children’s health, necessitating sustained vigilance and collective action. He outlined ambitious targets: vaccinating 6,418,757 children aged 0 to 59 months against polio, providing vitamin A supplementation to over 4.6 million children aged 6 to 59 months, and deworming more than 4.2 million children aged 9 to 59 months across all 23 provinces.

The Minister framed these efforts as a national priority, stating that every vaccinated child is a victory over the disease. He added that vitamin A supplementation gives children a healthier start in life, while deworming contributes to better physical and cognitive development. The campaign aims to reach at least 95% coverage in every health district to consolidate previous gains and permanently halt the spread of vaccine-derived polioviruses nationwide.

Dr. Abdelmadjid Abderahim praised the success of the May campaign, commending the dedication of field teams, supervisors, local authorities, and communities. He stressed that the campaign’s success hinges on collective responsibility, involving families, communities, local leaders, partners, and citizens alike—not just healthcare workers.

The Minister expressed the Government of Chad’s deep gratitude to technical and financial partners, including the WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, Rotary International, and Nutrition International, for their unwavering support in protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases. He also thanked the health agents, supervisors, vaccinators, social mobilizers, volunteers, and community actors for their tireless efforts in making the campaign a success.