The Kousseri vaccination campaign took place between 13 and 17 February 2008. During the campaign over 35,000 infants and children were vaccinated against at least one of measles and poliomyelitis in Cameroon’s north-eastern district of Kousséri, in an operation led by the Cameroonian Ministry of Health, the United Nations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including Médecins Sans Frontières – Switzerland (MSF-CH) in particular.
The UN Resident Coordinator, Sophie de Caen, stated that this was in response to the inflow of Chadian refugees into the country’s north-east earlier in February 2008, in the aftermath of the Battle of N'Djamena, as the potential for epidemics substantially increases whenever there are population movements.
Following armed fighting in the Chadian capital N’Djamena, which erupted on 2 February, at least 30,000 Chadians had in fact crossed into Cameroon, reaching Kousséri in the country’s north-east. Most found refuge in two temporary sites, while many were hosted in schools, churches, and private homes, according to the United Nations.
The vaccination campaign targeted all infants and children comprised in applicable age groups, across the district, ensuring protection for Cameroonian and refugee children alike. More specifically, all infants and children aged above six months and below 15 years were vaccinated against measles, while the vaccination against poliomyelitis targeted all those aged under five years, including newborns.
Figures released on 21 February 2008 show that a total of 35,615 children were vaccinated against poliomyelitis, while 32,624 were vaccinated against measles. Vitamin A supplement tablets were also provided to approximately 34,000 children along with the vaccinations.