In a renewed effort to eradicate the circulating variant of poliovirus type 2 in the Lake Chad Basin, Ministers of Health from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and the Central African Republic have launched a coordinated regional vaccination campaign targeting 83 million children under the age of five.
The campaign, described as a significant milestone in the regional fight against the virus, aims to halt the spread of the variant poliovirus type 2, which remains a serious threat across the region.
In a related effort, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Adamawa State Government have urged parents and guardians to ensure their children receive polio vaccinations during the upcoming immunisation exercise scheduled for April 26–29. The campaign is part of Nigeria’s national immunisation programme aimed at strengthening children’s immunity.
A statement from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, signed by Head of Press Mr. Alaba Balogun, quoted the World Health Organization (WHO) as saying that over the past year, the variant poliovirus has been detected in wastewater samples and among confirmed cases in Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. A total of 210 detections were reported, with 140 cases resulting in paralysis.
Although no cases have been reported in the Central African Republic, WHO warned that cross-border transmission remains a risk, stressing the importance of coordinated efforts.
“More than half of polio cases reported in Chad in 2024 are linked to strains circulating in Cameroon,” the WHO noted, reinforcing the need for synchronised action.
Last year, nearly 12 million children were vaccinated during mass campaigns. To further protect vulnerable populations, the new round of synchronised vaccination will run from April 24 to 28, 2025. It will focus on high-risk and mobile populations in border areas with low surveillance coverage.
The campaign will involve approximately 1.1 million frontline workers, including vaccinators, social mobilisers, and monitors. It forms part of a broader strategy to ensure no child is left unprotected, regardless of location or mobility.
“The Lake Chad Basin remains a critical front in our fight against polio. Through regional collaboration, we affirm our collective commitment to eliminating the disease,” said Chad’s Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Abdelmadjid Abderahim.
As part of the launch, Health Ministers will meet behind closed doors to assess epidemiological data, discuss challenges, and strengthen cross-border cooperation.
The campaign aligns with the Africa Regional Polio Eradication Action Plan and the Polio Eradication Cross-Border Coordination Plan 2024–2025, which was endorsed in August 2024 and updated in February 2025 in response to changing conditions on the ground.
Global health partners—including WHO, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and Rotary International—are supporting the initiative, alongside community health workers, traditional leaders, and local volunteers.
The launch coincides with African Vaccination Week, themed “Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible.”
In Adamawa State, UNICEF’s Health Officer for the Bauchi field office, Oluseyi Olosunde, confirmed that the federal government has mandated all states to conduct polio immunisation campaigns to ensure children receive the right vaccines according to their age.
While Adamawa remains polio-free, Olosunde stressed the importance of continued vigilance. He said UNICEF is supporting the state with vaccine supplies, cold chain equipment, and technical assistance.
Also speaking, Dr. Suleiman Bashir, Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ADSPCDA), called on all stakeholders to support the immunisation campaign. He assured the public that the vaccines are free, safe, and effective.
According to him, over 1,070 health facilities, 2,778 vaccination teams, and 74 additional teams for mop-up and follow-up have been prepared for the four-day exercise. Each team includes vaccinators, recorders, and community mobilisers.
Dr. Bashir emphasised the importance of the campaign in maintaining Adamawa’s polio-free status and protecting children’s health, urging parents to take their children to the nearest vaccination centre.
The collaboration between UNICEF and the Adamawa State Government underscores their shared commitment to safeguarding the well-being of children through preventive healthcare.
Edited by Nzubechukwu eze
