The Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination initiative targets 12 remaining endemic countries for tetanus elimination using tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine (TTCV) supplementary immunization activities (SIAs). Despite challenges posed by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, MNTE campaign activities are progressing:
- Central African Republic: Successful first and second rounds completed in 2021 targeting 1.7 million women of reproductive age (WRA). The third round will be conducted in the second quarter of 2022.
- Guinea: Third round conducted in 14 districts in January. Some 1.2 million WRA received three doses of Td vaccine out of a target population of 1.4 million, representing a coverage rate of 90%. The country is now eligible for pre-validation.
- Mali: Completed two recommended corrective rounds in 2020 in 14 high-risk districts of northern regions with coverage above 80%.
- Nigeria: Planning a third round in Niger and Zamfara—targeting 965,501 WRA—the only two states in North-West and North-Central that were unable to carry out SIAs in 2021. TTCV rounds will commence in the North East Zone (NEZ) in first quarter of 2022, aiming to reach 1.5 million WRA.
- Pakistan: First round will be conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the first quarter of 2022, aiming to reach 2.3 million WRA. The third round in Gilgit Baltistan will be conducted in first quarter of 2022, targeting 230,764 WRA. There are also plans for rounds in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tribal Districts.
- Papua New Guinea: No 2022 SIA dates yet.
- South Sudan: Third round being planned for the end of February, with a target population of 1.2 million WRA.
- Sudan: Currently planning targeted mop-up campaigns.
- Yemen: Third round being planned for the end of February, aiming to reach 429,462 WRA.
Challenges remain with the following campaign delays:
- Afghanistan: Delays due to Covid-19, polio (WPV1 and cVDPV) outbreaks, and insecurity.
- Angola: Delays due to Covid-19, polio (cVDPV) outbreaks, and measles follow-up SIAs.
- Somalia: Delays due to insecurity and access challenges.