In a renewed initiative to eradicate circulating variant poliovirus type 2 within the Lake Chad Basin, the Ministers of Health from five countries—Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Niger, and Nigeria—have collaboratively launched a synchronized regional vaccination campaign.
This initiative aims to protect approximately 83 million children under the age of five, a demographic particularly vulnerable to the severe consequences of polio. The campaign represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to combat variant poliovirus type 2, which continues to pose a substantial health threat to children across this critical region of Africa.
Over the past twelve months, variant poliovirus type 2 has been detected in both environmental samples, specifically wastewater, and among individuals with clinical symptoms in Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. A total of 210 cases have been documented across these four nations, with 140 instances resulting in paralysis, highlighting the urgent need for intervention. While there have been no reported cases in the CAR thus far, these findings emphasize the persistent risk of cross-border transmission and the necessity for coordinated regional responses to effectively manage the threat.
Significantly, more than 50% of the polio cases reported in Chad during 2024 have been traced back to the strain currently circulating in Cameroon, underscoring the critical importance of cooperative and synchronized polio intervention efforts. This interconnectedness illustrates how effective immunization strategies must take into account the broader regional context.
In the previous year, nearly 12 million children were immunized through extensive mass vaccination campaigns specifically designed to halt the transmission of the virus. To further bolster immunity levels and mitigate the risk of transmission, a synchronized polio vaccination campaign has been scheduled to take place from April 24 to April 28, 2025. This campaign will strategically target high-risk and mobile populations residing in border areas where existing surveillance indicators have consistently remained below the desired thresholds. This initiative forms part of a larger, comprehensive strategy that ensures all children receive adequate protection, irrespective of their geographic location or movement patterns.
The vaccination campaign will mobilize approximately 1.1 million frontline workers, including trained vaccinators, social mobilizers, and monitoring personnel, all committed to the goal of safeguarding every child. These individuals will play a crucial role in both the administration of vaccines and the communication of vital health information within the communities they serve.
“The Lake Chad Basin remains a pivotal region in our efforts to combat polio. Through united collaboration as a regional bloc, we can reinforce our commitment to definitively eradicating polio,” stated Hon. Dr. Abdelmadjid Abderahim, the Minister of Health of Chad.
To accompany this launch, the Ministers of Health will engage in a closed-door meeting to discuss existing challenges, analyze epidemiological data, and strengthen cross-border cooperation. This gathering aligns with the Africa Regional Polio Eradication Action Plan and the Polio Eradication Cross-Border Coordination Plan for 2024–2025, which was endorsed in August 2024 and has been subsequently updated in February 2025 to reflect the evolving epidemiological landscape. This adaptability underscores the region’s collective commitment to the protection of every child from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Global health partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, Gavi, and Rotary International, will participate actively in this collective effort, reaffirming their dedication to the elimination of polio. Community health workers, local leaders, and volunteers will also play an indispensable role in ensuring the success of the campaign. The timing of this initiative coincides with African Vaccination Week, which will be held under the theme “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible,” aiming to raise awareness and mobilize community support for immunization efforts.
The polio eradication initiative in the Lake Chad Basin exemplifies the power of collaborative action in global health. By pooling resources and expertise, governments, partners, and communities can work synergistically to secure a polio-free future for all children in the region and beyond.