Chad’s Ministry of Public Health and Prevention, led by Dr. Abdelmadjid Abderahim, officially inaugurated a nationwide polio vaccination drive on Thursday at the Atrone health center in N’Djamena’s 7th arrondissement. Running from June 5 to 7, 2026, the campaign integrates polio immunization with Vitamin A supplementation and albendazole deworming for children under five.
The Government Delegate to N’Djamena Province, Amina Kodjienna, emphasized that this additional health initiative reinforces ongoing efforts to safeguard children’s well-being. She urged household heads to fully cooperate with vaccination teams to ensure no child is left unprotected.
A representative from Rotary International highlighted the organization’s long-standing commitment to polio eradication. The speaker called on parents to support health workers in intensifying the fight against the virus, stressing that collective action is vital to breaking transmission chains.
The UNICEF Representative in Chad, Luciano Calestini, warned that poliomyelitis remains a devastating disease requiring massive mobilization to achieve eradication. He pledged continued partnership with Chad to ensure every child thrives in a healthy environment.
Dr. Abdelmadjid Abderahim confirmed that the campaign will blanket all 23 provinces of Chad, targeting 6,418,757 children aged 0–59 months for polio vaccination. An additional 4.6 million children aged 6–59 months will receive Vitamin A supplements, while 4.2 million children aged 9–59 months will undergo deworming with albendazole.
“Behind these numbers stand real children, families, and the future of our nation,” Dr. Abderahim noted. “Every vaccinated child is a victory over this preventable disease. Every child given Vitamin A gains a stronger chance at healthy growth, and every child dewormed takes a step toward better physical and cognitive development.”
The minister set a bold target: achieving at least 95% coverage in every health district to consolidate earlier gains and permanently halt circulation of vaccine-derived poliovirus across the country. He praised the dedication of field teams, supervisors, local authorities, and community members during the May campaign, calling their work exemplary.
Dr. Abderahim stressed that success hinges on shared responsibility. “Child health is not just the concern of health workers—it is a collective duty involving families, communities, local leaders, development partners, and every citizen.”
On behalf of the Chadian government, he expressed deep gratitude to technical and financial partners—including the WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, Rotary International, and Nutrition International—for their unwavering support in protecting children from vaccine-preventable illnesses. He also commended the tireless efforts of health agents, supervisors, vaccinators, social mobilizers, volunteers, and community leaders who are the backbone of this campaign.
