Source: Polio campaign targets under-fives in regional outbreak response -Newsday Zimbabwe
The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) will roll out a supplementary polio immunisation campaign targeting all children under five, including newborns, as part of a coordinated regional response to a confirmed outbreak of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).
The Harare City Health Promotion Office’s Epidemiology and Disease Control Division announced the campaign on its official X account.
The exercise will cover selected cross-border provinces, including Harare, in collaboration with neighbouring countries affected by the outbreak.
The first round is scheduled for April 20–23, 2026, while the second will run from June 2–5, 2026.
Vaccination will be administered at public health facilities, through door-to-door outreach, and at designated community sites such as churches and markets.
“All children under five years will be vaccinated regardless of their previous immunisation status,” health authorities said.
They added that the campaign follows confirmed cVDPV2 outbreaks in Malawi, prompting a coordinated response involving Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Botswana.
“The virus can cause serious illness and irreversible paralysis, but it is preventable through vaccination,” authorities said.
Parents and guardians have been urged to present child health cards during the campaign to ensure accurate recording, while community leaders are being mobilised to support awareness efforts and maximise coverage.
The ministry said the initiative underscores Zimbabwe’s commitment to protecting public health and strengthening regional disease surveillance and response systems.
COMMENTS