The North West Region of Cameroon is set to benefit from the second round of the National Immunization Days against Poliomyelitis outbreak and the Mother and Child Health and Nutrition Action Week which will take place from May 29 to June 1, 2025.
The campaign, synchronized with the Lake Chad Basin countries, aims to immunize children aged 0 to 5 against poliomyelitis and provide other essential health interventions.
Ngon Yvette Ndey, Chief of Communication for the Expanded Program on Immunization, revealed this information during a media press briefing on Friday, May 23, 2025, which brought together journalists and bloggers drawn across the North West Region. She emphasized the importance of the campaign, saying, "Let us ensure that our children aged 1 to 5 receive their dose of vitamin A. Let us vaccinate all our children aged 0 to 5 against poliomyelitis."
The EPI communication chief revealed that the campaign will feature several key interventions, including polio vaccination, vitamin A supplementation, and intermittent preventive treatment for malaria.
According to her, all children aged 0 to 5 will receive the vaccine-derived type 2 (nOPV2) to boost their immunity against poliomyelitis, while children aged 12 to 59 months will receive vitamin A supplementation to boost their immune system and prevent night blindness. She further added that pregnant women will also receive intermittent preventive treatment for malaria to protect them and their babies from the disease.
On his part, Asongwe Ignatius, the Focal Point for Nutrition and Neglected Tropical Diseases Coordinator at the North West Regional Delegation for Public Health, highlighted the importance of vitamin A supplementation for children aged 12 to 59 months.
He explained that this age group is often missed out during routine vaccination activities, but vitamin A supplementation is crucial for their immune system and growth.
"Vitamin A is very essential for this age group because it is first going to bolster their immune system, which will allow them to resist any disease condition that is coming," he said.
Dr. Chebo Cornelius, North West Regional EPI Coordinator.
Dr. Chebo Cornelius, North West Regional Coordinator for the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), expressed optimism about the campaign's success, saying, "We did quite well during the first round, and we are hoping to do even better this time around. We are targeting about 340,000 children in our region for polio vaccination and vitamin A supplementation."
He congratulated all the actors who contributed to the success of the first round and encouraged them to work even harder during the second round.
The second round of the polio vaccination campaign is a critical effort to protect children and pregnant women in the North West Region from poliomyelitis and other diseases. With the combined efforts of healthcare workers, community leaders, and parents, the region can ensure a successful campaign and a healthier future for its children.
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