CHAD – Chad has made global health history as the first Gavi-supported country to simultaneously introduce vaccines for pneumococcal disease, malaria, and rotavirus in an ambitious triple roll-out.
The campaign, launched on October 25, 2024, is set to target the country’s persistently high child mortality rates by addressing pneumonia, diarrheal diseases, and malaria—three of the leading causes of death in children under five.
Chad has one of the highest under-five mortality rates globally, with 119 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Pneumonia, responsible for 23.3% of these deaths, claims 13,000 young lives annually in Chad alone.
Rotavirus-induced diarrhea and malaria also significantly contribute to childhood mortality. Together, these three diseases account for 42% of all child deaths in the country.
In response, Chad plans to vaccinate nearly 900,000 infants in their first year of life with pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) and rotavirus vaccines by 2025.
Additionally, a PCV catch-up campaign will target over 3 million children aged one to five. The malaria vaccine will be administered to more than 168,000 children aged 6 to 15 months.
“This initiative is a model for what countries should be doing to protect their children. It represents a giant leap toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goal for child survival by 2030,” said Leith Greenslade, Coordinator of Every Breath Counts Coalition.
Proven impact of vaccines
The vaccines are expected to have a profound impact on reducing mortality. At routine coverage rates of 60–70%, PCV is projected to prevent 4,300–5,000 deaths from pneumonia annually, while the rotavirus vaccine could avert 2,500–2,900 deaths.
The malaria vaccine rollout comes as the country grapples with over 1.75 million malaria cases recorded in 2023, with more than a third affecting children under five.
Greenslade praised Chad’s leadership in global health, stating, “The introduction of these three vaccines will save tens of thousands of children’s lives each year. Chad is setting an example for other countries by taking a holistic approach to tackling the leading infectious killers of children.”
Building on health system strengths
Chad’s bold immunization initiative is built on recent progress in its healthcare system despite challenges such as conflict, displacement, and resource limitations.
Over the past five years, the country has improved its vaccine delivery systems, increased cold chain capacity, and raised routine vaccination rates.
Coverage of the DTP3 vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) rose from 50% in 2019 to 67% in 2023.
The Ministry of Health, with support from Gavi, UNICEF, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, implemented community-led immunization strategies and allocated funding for vaccine procurement and distribution.
During the pandemic, Gavi helped recruit 235 health workers to provide care in underserved areas, ensuring better healthcare access.
A global collaboration for life-saving vaccines
Gavi’s Advanced Market Commitment (AMC) model has been pivotal in ensuring the availability of pneumococcal vaccines in low-income countries like Chad.
Since 2009, Gavi has supported the vaccination of 438 million children worldwide with PCV, preventing an estimated 1.2 million deaths.
“Chad’s success reflects the power of collaboration and innovation in global health,” said Veronica Denti, senior program manager at Gavi.
She emphasized that tailored support for fragile countries like Chad is critical to overcoming challenges and ensuring sustainable immunization programs.
As Chad leads the way with its triple vaccine roll-out, its efforts provide a roadmap for other countries facing similar health and resource challenges.
The campaign not only addresses immediate health threats but also strengthens the foundation for achieving long-term child survival and public health goals.
