Chad’s health authorities have initiated a critical mass vaccination campaign against poliomyelitis, combined with vitamin A supplementation and deworming treatment, targeting millions of children nationwide.
Launched by Dr. Abdelmadjid Abderahim, Minister of Public Health and Prevention, the three-day operation (June 5–7, 2026) at the Atrone Health Center in N’Djamena’s 7th arrondissement marks a pivotal moment in the country’s ongoing fight to eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases and improve child nutrition.
Government delegates emphasized the importance of community participation. Amina Kodjienna, Government Delegate for N’Djamena Province, urged household heads to fully cooperate with health teams to ensure no child is left unvaccinated. She highlighted the campaign’s role in reinforcing national health defenses.
Collaborative efforts to end polio
Representatives from Rotary International reiterated their long-standing commitment to polio eradication, calling on parents to support health workers in detecting and preventing outbreaks. Meanwhile, UNICEF Representative in Chad, Luciano Calestini, described polio as a devastating disease requiring urgent collective action to achieve eradication.
Calestini commended ongoing partnerships that sustain the country’s progress, noting that despite Chad’s certification as polio-free in 2016, circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses remain a persistent risk. He stressed the need for sustained vigilance and dedication across all sectors to protect vulnerable children.
Unprecedented scale of intervention
Minister Abderahim outlined ambitious targets: 6.4 million children aged 0–59 months will receive the oral polio vaccine, while 4.6 million aged 6–59 months will receive vitamin A supplements, and 4.2 million aged 9–59 months will undergo deworming with albendazole. These efforts span all 23 provinces, reflecting a coordinated national response.
The health minister framed the campaign as more than a health initiative—it symbolizes a collective investment in Chad’s future. He pointed out that every vaccinated child strengthens the nation’s defenses, every vitamin A-supplemented child gains a healthier start in life, and every dewormed child secures better physical and cognitive development.
Unity is key to success
Abderahim set a target of 95% coverage in every health district to consolidate gains from the previous round and halt the spread of circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses. He praised the dedication of field teams, supervisors, local authorities, and communities for their role in the May campaign’s successes.
The minister emphasized that this fight belongs to all citizens—not just health workers. He called for shared responsibility among families, communities, local leaders, partners, and every Chadian to ensure universal coverage and lasting protection for children.
In closing, Abderahim expressed deep gratitude to technical and financial partners, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Gavi, Rotary International, and Nutrition International, for their unwavering support. He also thanked the health workers, supervisors, vaccinators, social mobilizers, volunteers, and community leaders whose tireless efforts make such campaigns possible.
