In a powerful demonstration of regional solidarity, health ministers from five African nations have united to launch a synchronized polio vaccination campaign, aiming to immunize 83 million children under five across the Lake Chad Basin. The cross-border initiative seeks not only to curb the ongoing spread of variant poliovirus type 2 but also to strengthen health security through coordinated action.

This unprecedented collaboration between Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Niger, and Nigeria reflects a growing recognition that defeating polio requires more than national responses it demands regional cooperation, especially in areas with porous borders and high mobility.

The campaign, scheduled for 24 to 28 April 2025, will prioritize high-risk and mobile populations in border areas where disease surveillance has lagged. Over 1.1 million frontline workers including vaccinators, monitors, and social mobilizers will be deployed in a concerted push to halt virus transmission and build immunity.

Variant poliovirus type 2 remains a significant public health threat in the region, with 210 detections reported over the past year 140 of which have caused paralysis. Although CAR has not reported any cases, its participation in the campaign is seen as vital to preventing cross-border transmission.

In Chad alone, over half of the polio cases reported in 2024 were traced back to viral strains circulating in neighboring Cameroon, reinforcing the urgency of regional collaboration.

“The Lake Chad Basin remains a critical area in our fight against polio. By coming together as a region, we reinforce our commitment to ending polio once and for all,” said Chad’s Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Abdelmadjid Abderahim, at the campaign’s launch.

The campaign is supported by global partners including WHO, UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, Gavi, and Rotary International. Their involvement underscores the global health community’s enduring commitment to eradicating polio.

The health ministers will also hold a closed-door meeting to assess epidemiological trends, share strategies, and strengthen mechanisms for cross-border surveillance and response. The effort aligns with the Africa Regional Polio Eradication Action Plan and the updated Polio Eradication Cross-Border Coordination Plan 2024–2025.

Launching during African Vaccination Week, under the banner “Immunization for all is humanly possible,” the campaign also highlights the power of partnerships from national governments to grassroots volunteers in reaching every last child.

As the Lake Chad Basin continues to face complex public health challenges, this campaign represents a beacon of what’s possible when nations rally together in pursuit of a common goal: a polio-free future for Africa.