Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Nigeria has joined forces with Cameroon, Chad, Niger Republic, and the Central African Republic (CAR) to launch a synchronised vaccination campaign aimed at eliminating the circulating variant poliovirus type 2 across the Lake Chad Basin.
The initiative, unveiled in N’Djamena, Chad, yesterday seeks to immunize 83 million children under five, marking a significant step toward polio eradication in the region.
“This synchronised campaign is an opportunity to engage more officials at various levels in these countries for the goal of coordination,” said Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate.
Over the past year, 210 detections of the variant poliovirus have been reported in the region, with 140 resulting in paralysis.
Chad has borne the brunt of the outbreak, with over half of its 2024 polio cases linked to the strain circulating in neighbouring Cameroon—highlighting the urgency of coordinated, cross-border action.
“The Lake Chad Basin remains one of the most challenging areas in our fight to eradicate polio. A unified approach is our strongest weapon,” stated Chad’s Minister of Health, Hon. Abdelmadjid Abderahim.
WHO Representative Anya Blanche emphasized the importance of collective action, praising leaders at all levels for their commitment. Cameroon’s delegation leader, Bachir Hassan Ben, added, “The fight against polio knows no borders but requires the States of the Lake Chad Basin to mobilize without fail.”
With the next round of synchronized vaccinations scheduled for April 24–28, 2025, the campaign will target high-risk, underserved, and mobile communities, especially in border areas where immunization coverage lags.
An estimated 1.1 million health workers—including vaccinators, mobilizers, and monitors—will be deployed to reach every eligible child.
The initiative aligns with the Africa Regional Polio Eradication Action Plan and the Cross-Border Coordination Plan 2024–2025, recently updated to reflect current challenges.
Health ministers from the five countries met privately during the launch to assess progress, plan next steps, and reaffirm their joint commitment under the theme of African Vaccination Week: ‘Immunization for all is humanly possible’.
