Tchad launches nationwide polio vaccination drive with vitamin A and deworming

Chad’s Public Health Minister, Dr. Abdelmadjid Abderahim, inaugurated this Thursday at the Atrone Health Center in the 7th arrondissement, the nationwide polio vaccination campaign paired with vitamin A supplementation and albendazole deworming. The initiative will run from June 5 to 7, 2026.

The government’s delegate to N’Djamena Province, Amina Kodjienna, emphasized that this supplementary operation reinforces the country’s ongoing efforts to safeguard children’s health. She urged household leaders to fully cooperate with health teams to ensure all eligible children receive their vaccinations.

A representative from Rotary International outlined the organization’s commitment to eradicating polio, calling on parents to support health technicians in intensifying the fight against the disease.

The UNICEF Representative in Chad, Luciano Calestini, described polio as a devastating illness requiring massive mobilization to eliminate it once and for all. He stressed that partners remain steadfast in supporting Chad’s children and remain committed to their well-being.

Dr. Abdelmadjid Abderahim confirmed that the campaign will span the entire country from June 5 to 7, 2026, marking a critical milestone in Chad’s continuous efforts to shield children from vaccine-preventable diseases and enhance their nutritional status.

The Minister highlighted that Chad has reported no cases of wild poliovirus since June 14, 2012, and was officially declared free of indigenous wild poliovirus in 2016 by the WHO Regional Certification Commission for Africa. Despite this progress, he warned that vaccine-derived polioviruses continue to pose a risk to children’s health, demanding constant vigilance and collective action.

According to Dr. Abdelmadjid Abderahim, the campaign will target 6,418,757 children aged 0 to 59 months for polio vaccination, over 4.6 million children aged 6 to 59 months for vitamin A supplementation, and more than 4.2 million children aged 9 to 59 months for albendazole deworming across all 23 provinces.

He underscored that behind these numbers are real children, families, and the nation’s future. Every vaccinated child represents a triumph over disease, every child given vitamin A represents a step toward robust health, and every dewormed child represents progress toward improved physical and intellectual development.

The Minister set an ambitious target: achieving at least 95% coverage of children in every health district to consolidate the gains from the first round and permanently halt the circulation of vaccine-derived poliovirus nationwide.

He praised the success of the previous campaign in May, commending the dedication of field teams, supervisors, local authorities, and communities. Dr. Abdelmadjid Abderahim stressed that the campaign’s success hinges on collective responsibility, where health is not solely the concern of medical staff but a shared duty involving families, communities, local authorities, partners, and all citizens.

On behalf of the Chadian government, the Public Health Minister expressed deep gratitude to technical and financial partners, including the WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, Rotary International, and Nutrition International, as well as all those who relentlessly support the country’s mission to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

He also extended heartfelt thanks to health workers, supervisors, vaccinators, social mobilizers, volunteers, and community leaders who mobilized tirelessly to ensure the campaign’s success.