Médecins Sans Frontières Launches Diphtheria Vaccination Drive in Chad

On June 10, 2025, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) announced the successful completion of a mass vaccination campaign that immunized approximately 500,000 individuals against diphtheria in Chad's Batha and Barh-El-Gazel regions. This initiative was crucial in addressing a resurgence of the disease, which has seen over 2,700 cases reported since July 2024, largely attributed to low vaccination rates and inadequate public awareness.

Diphtheria, caused by a bacterium that produces a potent toxin, can lead to severe respiratory issues, fever, and in extreme cases, death, particularly among children and those with pre-existing health conditions. The situation in Chad was exacerbated by limited access to healthcare facilities, as illustrated by a case where a family traveled over 65 kilometers to reach Ati provincial hospital after their child exhibited symptoms of diphtheria. Tragically, despite medical intervention, the youngest child succumbed to the illness, highlighting the urgent need for preventive measures.

With the support of Chad's Ministry of Public Health and Prevention, MSF undertook significant logistical challenges to execute this vaccination campaign. The effort aimed to reach isolated communities, including nomadic populations, with the two doses necessary for full immunization against diphtheria. MSF deployed around 100 motorcycles and off-road vehicles to navigate the challenging terrain, ensuring vaccines were delivered while maintaining the critical cold chain required to keep them effective. Jean Bourges, MSF’s head of mission in Chad, emphasized, "Transporting vaccines while maintaining the cold chain in a desert climate where temperatures can hit 45°C is an enormous challenge."

To enhance outreach, MSF implemented a 'One Health' strategy, collaborating with the Ministry of Livestock to integrate human, animal, and environmental health initiatives. This approach fostered trust within the communities, allowing vaccination teams to coincide their efforts with existing livestock vaccination campaigns, thereby improving overall diphtheria vaccine uptake.

The necessity for vigilance against diphtheria remains, as MSF continues to advocate for enhanced disease surveillance and robust immunization programs to ward off potential future outbreaks. The organization has rehabilitated 20 wells in the Moussoro and Chaddra districts to improve access to clean water, further aiding in disease prevention efforts. MSF’s comprehensive response to the diphtheria resurgence not only addresses immediate health concerns but also seeks to build a resilient healthcare system capable of responding to future health crises.