EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Measles in Chad- Reaching the Unreachable

Background
There are over 10 million people in Chad (not including close to 300,000 declared refugees from
Sudan) with over 80% of that population living below the poverty line. 75% of the entire population
lives in secluded, rural areas and lives off of subsistence farming. Within these communities, diseases
such as measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough and more are prevalent, prominent, and unchecked
due to lack of vaccination, sanitation, and education.
Many of these communities do not have the capability to keep vaccines and medications that
require controlled climates and temperatures because of a lack of electricity. This means that in a time
of outbreak and disease, they would not be able to fight against infection, let alone work at prevention
and preparation before any outbreak were ever to occur.
Measles is a highly contagious, serious disease caused by a virus, specifically a paramyxovirus of
the genus Morbillivirus. It can be spread through droplets in the air, contaminated surfaces, and any
sort of close contact with an infected victim. Many people die from complications brought about by the
disease such as pneumonia and encephalitis, and many others suffer debilitating side effects such as
blindness caused by corneal ulceration.
While there is no treatment for Measles once infected, vitamin A replenishment and
rehydration are crucial in recovery and health assistance. The only way to truly defend against Measles
is to vaccinate prior to infection. It has been estimated that about 1 in 10 children die from
complications caused by Measles in Chad. This is completely unacceptable, seeing as how this is a
completely preventable disease in developed countries throughout the world.

Intervention
The Republic of Chad has partnered with UNICEF, WHO, Measles initiative, and more
organizations in 2012 to immunize every child six months to three years old. This was the largest
vaccination campaign in the countrys history. Furthermore, the ministry of health in Chad has plans in
2014 for more campaigns targeting more than 4 million children under the age of nine years of age,
which is 37% of population in Chad [16].
VIDA (vaccination and infectious disease awareness) has implemented a plan to obtain donations to be
used for the purchase of a refrigerated truck. This truck will be equipped with the ability to transport
vaccines to the remote regions of Chad that are vaccine poor. Along with the vaccines each vehicle
donated will be supplied with pamphlets and other forms of information on vaccinations and other
infectious diseases.
Impact
The campaign has reached 64% of the population in Chad has been vaccinated for measles. This is far
from the goal, however each year the percentage climbs. Each campaign provides information on the
importance of these vaccines, developing the knowledge in the communities to vaccinate the children
for better community health.
The impact of VIDA can have a positive impact on Chad by reaching no less than 90% of the population
by donating these vehicles. Each vehicle capable of transporting the vaccines needed to improve the
health of the nation one child at a time. VIDA provides the ability for a volunteer to teach the
communities to become self-sustained by giving classes on the importance of vaccinations and other
health habits.

Cost/Benefit
Measles is one of the leading causes of death in young children. In 2012 there were 122,000 deaths
caused by measles. The majority of these deaths were in children that were mostly under the age of 5
[22]. Less than 64% of the country of Chad are vaccinated against measles and less than 25% have access
to regular vaccinations [27]. This disease spreads rapidly without proper vaccination causing, as many as
10 out of every 100 people to die [25].
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one immunization costs less than one U.S. dollar
per child [12]. Massive immunization campaigns and routine vaccination can help prevent measles.
Vaccinations have caused a 78% drop in measles related deaths from 2000 to 2012 [8]. It is an effective
way to avoid spreading of this preventable disease and save the 46% of unvaccinated citizens in Chad
from getting and spreading measles [12].

Lessons Learned
Chad is a very poor country with many health issues such as measles and malnutrition, caused by an
ineffective health infrastructure and poor access to vaccines [25]. Families have to travel long distances
on poor roads to get to healthcare facilities [13]. These issues make it difficult to eradicate preventable
diseases.
Measles is the leading cause of death in children, taking over 122,000 lives in 2012 [22]. The vaccination
rates in Chad are only up to 64% and this is a major problem as vaccinating one child only costs one U.S.
dollar [12]. This preventable disease has the potential to be eradicated. It is much easier to prevent a
disease than to treat it.
[8] Immunization coverage. (2014, February 1). WHO. Retrieved June 9, 2014, from
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs378/en/
[12] Map of Chad. (n.d.). . Retrieved June 9, 2014, from
http://wikitravel.org/upload/shared/2/22/Chad_Regions_map.png
[13] Measles. (n.d.). WHO. Retrieved June 3, 2014, from
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/
[16]Measles & Rubella Initiative - A global partnership. (n.d.). Measles Rubella Initiative. Retrieved June
2, 2014, fromhttp://www.measlesrubellainitiative.org/
[22] Statistics. (2013, December 25). UNICEF. Retrieved June 9, 2014, from
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/chad_statistics.html
[25] World Fact Book. (n.d.). Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved June 1, 2014, from
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cd.html
[27] 2012 Failed State Index. (2012, January 1). The Fund for Peace. Retrieved June 9, 2014, from
http://global.fundforpeace.org/