Ethiopia Strengthens Polio Vaccination Efforts, Reaching Over One Million Children in High-Risk Areas
Ethiopia has successfully executed a synchronized polio vaccination campaign in collaboration with South Sudan, utilizing the bivalent Oral Polio vaccine (bOPV). This initiative, which took place from May 7 to May 10, 2026, targeted over one million children under five years old in high-risk border regions and refugee camps. The campaign aims to prevent the cross-border transmission of the variant poliovirus from South Sudan, where recent cases have been reported.
Urgent Response to Emerging Threats
The vaccination effort was prompted by the detection of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) in South Sudan during March and April 2026. Cases were identified near the Ethiopian border, raising concerns about potential importation into Ethiopian communities. Given the porous nature of the border and the frequent movement of populations—including traders, pastoralists, and refugees—health authorities acted swiftly to implement preventive measures. Currently, five cases of cVDPV1 have been reported in Gambella, specifically among children in refugee camps.
Collaborative Efforts and Strategic Planning
At the launch of the campaign in Gambella, the WHO Ethiopia Representative, Professor Francis Kasolo, emphasized the proactive nature of this initiative. He noted that Gambella’s unique context, characterized by mobility and strong cross-border ties, necessitates vigilant and coordinated action. The campaign is seen as a critical opportunity to protect children in vulnerable border communities and refugee settlements.
Dr. Abel Assefa, Head of the Gambella Regional Health Bureau, highlighted the urgency of the vaccination campaign, stating that the synchronized effort is essential for safeguarding children, particularly those in border and refugee areas. He reaffirmed the commitment to reach every child and prevent the spread of the variant poliovirus through collaboration with partners and neighboring countries.
Implementation and Logistics
The campaign was meticulously planned in coordination with South Sudan to ensure synchronized implementation across the border. Preparations included detailed microplanning, mapping migration routes, and aligning operational strategies between the two countries. This effort was supported by WHO, UNICEF, and various public health institutions. Special deployment strategies were developed to reach mobile and hard-to-access populations, including those in riverine areas and densely populated settlements, ensuring that all eligible children were vaccinated, regardless of their location or legal status.
The Ethiopian Public Health Institute, in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, and Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners, mobilized resources from the Gates Foundation to secure vaccine supplies and enhance logistics systems. Preliminary data indicates that a total of 1,026,885 children received the bOPV during this campaign, achieving a coverage rate of 101%.
WHO’s Role in the Campaign
The World Health Organization has played a pivotal role in the implementation of the vaccination campaign, providing financial support for operational costs and technical expertise for planning, training, supervision, and monitoring. This included enhancing the skills of vaccinators and supervisors, conducting cold chain assessments to maintain vaccine potency, and implementing real-time monitoring to improve performance and accountability. Surveillance systems were also strengthened, particularly for acute flaccid paralysis cases, which are critical indicators for detecting poliovirus transmission. Health facilities and frontline workers were urged to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases promptly.
Additionally, the vaccination campaign integrated other essential health services, such as identifying and linking zero-dose and under-vaccinated children to routine immunization, as well as referrals for obstetric fistula management, clubfoot treatment, and tuberculosis screening.
Commitment to Global Polio Eradication
This vaccination campaign underscores Ethiopia’s commitment to the global goal of polio eradication and the protection of vulnerable populations. By acting promptly and in coordination with neighboring countries, Ethiopia aims to prevent the importation and spread of poliovirus, bolster resilience in high-risk areas, and maintain the significant progress made toward a polio-free world. Authorities have reiterated their determination to reach every child and sustain efforts beyond this initial round through enhanced routine immunization, improved surveillance, and ongoing cross-border collaboration.
The successful implementation of this synchronized polio vaccination campaign has been significantly aided by the Gates Foundation’s commitment to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Their support has been instrumental in mobilizing resources, strengthening operational capacity, and ensuring that life-saving vaccines reach children in high-risk, underserved, and mobile populations.
Protecting children from polio remains a national priority and a shared responsibility across the region and the globe.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-07-10 21:37:00 • By the Editorial Desk
