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Strengthening immunity in children aged 0 to 5 in Côte d’Ivoire with the nOPV2 Vaccine

Dr. Yaya BALLAYIRA, Francophone Polio Outbreak Coordinator (AFENET), participated in the launch of the Polio immunization campaign in Koumassi Health District, Abidjan, reinforcing efforts to protect children from polio.

The first round of Côte d’Ivoire’s 2025 vaccination campaign against circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) took place from February 28 to March 3, 2025. The campaign aimed to immunize 9,712,691 children aged 0 to 5 years across 113 districts, ensuring each child received two drops of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2).

AFENET, with financial support from the US CDC, provided technical assistance by deploying a polio consultant and 10 Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) graduates to support activities in 10 health districts in Abidjan. Additionally, AFENET’s polio coordinator for French-speaking countries participated in supervision efforts in Koumassi and Yopougon.

In collaboration with the Côte d’Ivoire Ministry of Health and Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) partners, AFENET’s team played a crucial role in:

  • Training local supervisors and vaccinators to enhance campaign effectiveness.
  • Coordinating the transportation of vaccine logistics to ensure timely delivery.
  • Supervising field vaccinators to maintain high vaccination quality and coverage.

Through these efforts, AFENET contributed to strengthening polio immunity among Côte d’Ivoire’s youngest population, supporting the country’s fight against cVDPV2.

 

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