ITW (ENG) Theresa Berthold - MSF Project Coordinator for CERU

Interview of Theresa Berthold - MSF Project Coordinator for CERU (MSF CHAD Emergency Response Unit) about the mass vaccination campaign in Am Timan region in Chad.

MSF269703

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ITW (ES) Theresa Berthold - MSF Project Coordinator for CERU

Subt. Spanish

INTERVIEW (INT) Theresa Berthold - MSF Project Coordinator for CERU

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Unique Identifier Code / URN MSF269703

Date taken / Date Recorded 04/05/2019 12:00 AM

Country Chad

Commissioning section MSF-NETHERLANDS

Photographer / videographer / producer Juan Haro

Usage Rights (MSF) External Media, MSF Fundraising, MSF Publications, Social Media

Formal Consent Copy available yes

Editor's rating ★★★ (F)

Video format h264 (Main) (avc1 / 0x31637661)

Duration 2m10s

Maximum Size 1920px × 1080px 156.52 MB

Additional Information / Shotlist A measles outbreak in Chad was declared by the Ministry of Health back in May 2018 and, one year later, is still ongoing, putting the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in the country at risk. With 69 of the 126 districts affected, this outbreak has the highest and fastest increase in case numbers reported from the capital, N’djamena, and Am Timan, Salamat region, southeast Chad.

After a new peak of the outbreak was declared in January 2019, Chad Emergency Response Unit (CERU) traveled to Am Timan to support the population with a mass measles vaccination. The total number of children between 6 months and 9 years vaccinated for measles in the whole district is 107.000. Despite the harsh climate and conditions, CERU team was able to access very isolated areas of Am Timan district and reach nomad communities to immunized their children but also to raise awareness among this population of the need of protecting their children against measles.

CERU team is also supporting case management in Am Timan hospital and three health centers. MSF also started to intervene in N’Djamena to help with case management by supporting 15 health centers and opening an inpatient facility dedicated to children affected by measles.

Chad has a pattern of measles outbreaks that usually start in spring and die out when the rains start (usually in June). But 2018 measles outbreak continues up to this date and despite mass vaccination conducted last year, the epidemic is not under control. A concerted effort by the Ministry of Health and international organizations is needed to interrupt the epidemic. Also, routine vaccination needs to be reinforced to reach full immunization of all children and to avoid epidemics in future.
Based on latest data shared by health authorities, only one in four children under 5 is fully immunized in Chad and an estimated 37% have been vaccinated against measles. To achieve herd immunity, 95% coverage is needed.

MSF has been working in Chad for the past 37 years. Its Chad Emergency Response Unit provides a rapid medical response to epidemic emergencies, providing free quality treatment and carrying out emergency vaccination campaigns. MSF also runs medical activities in Moissala in Mandoul region.

Measles Vaccination Campaign