N’Djamena – In a renewed effort to eradicate circulating polio variant sort 2 within the Lake Chad Basin, Ministers of Well being from Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Niger and Nigeria launched at present a synchronized regional vaccination marketing campaign geared toward defending 83 million below 5 youngsters. The initiative is a vital milestone within the battle towards variant poliovirus sort 2, which continues to pose a menace to hundreds of thousands of youngsters throughout the area.
Over the previous 12 months, variant poliovirus sort 2 has been detected each within the setting (wastewater samples) and amongst affected individuals in Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. A complete of 210 detections have been reported throughout these 4 international locations, 140 of which resulted in paralysis. Though no instances have been reported in CAR up to now, these findings underscore the continuing threat of cross-border transmission and the urgent want for coordinated regional motion.
Over 50% of the polio instances reported in Chad in 2024 are linked to the pressure circulating in Cameroon, underlining the significance of coordination and synchronization of polio response efforts.
Almost 12 million youngsters have been vaccinated final yr by means of mass immunization campaigns to halt the unfold of the virus.
To additional strengthen immunity and curb transmission, a synchronized polio vaccination marketing campaign will happen from 24 to twenty-eight April 2025, focusing on high-risk and cell populations in border areas the place surveillance indicators have remained under goal. This marketing campaign is a part of a broader technique to make sure all youngsters are protected, no matter location or motion patterns.
The spherical is supported by an estimated 1.1 million frontline staff (together with vaccinators, social mobilizers, and screens) devoted to defending each final baby.
“The Lake Chad Basin stays a essential space in our battle towards polio. By coming collectively as a area, we reinforce our dedication to ending polio as soon as and for all,” mentioned the Minister of Well being of Chad, Hon. Dr Abdelmadjid Abderahim.
As a part of the launch, the Ministers of Well being will maintain a closed-door assembly to debate challenges, assessment epidemiological knowledge, and strengthen cross-border cooperation. The occasion aligns with the Africa Regional Polio Eradication Motion Plan and the Polio Eradication Cross-Border Coordination Plan 2024–2025, endorsed in August 2024 and up to date in February 2025 to adapt to the evolving epidemiological scenario on the ground-underscoring the area’s united dedication to defending each baby.
World well being companions, together with WHO, UNICEF, the Gates Basis, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and Rotary Worldwide, will be a part of the trouble, reaffirming their dedication to polio eradication. Neighborhood well being staff, native leaders, and volunteers will even play an important function in making certain the marketing campaign’s success. This occasion will coincide with African Vaccination Week below the theme ‘Immunization for all is humanly attainable.’
The polio eradication initiative within the Lake Chad Basin demonstrates the facility of collaboration in world well being. By working collectively, governments, companions, and communities can guarantee a polio-free future for kids within the area and past.