Zimbabwe Successfully Conducts Third Round of Polio Vaccination Campaign
In a significant milestone towards eradicating polio, Zimbabwe has successfully completed its third round of polio vaccination campaigns, reaching over 2.4 million children under the age of five. This achievement is part of the country’s commitment to protecting children and preventing the transmission of the wild poliovirus.
The Government of Zimbabwe collaborated with international partners, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Rotary International, and the World Health Organization (WHO), to ensure the success of the vaccination campaign. Their support, along with the dedication of healthcare workers and community leaders, has been instrumental in reaching a coverage rate of over 90%.
One of the key strategies employed in Zimbabwe’s vaccination campaign was a door-to-door approach. This approach greatly reduced the financial burden on parents, as they did not have to transport their children to health facilities for vaccination. Additionally, it facilitated peer mobilization within communities, making it easier for busy parents to access vaccination services. The efforts of community health workers, religious leaders, and political figures, who acted as vaccination champions, played a crucial role in mobilizing caregivers and ensuring the success of the campaign.
The vaccination teams also made strategic visits to marketplaces, bus termini, schools, and religious centers, making vaccinations more accessible to the general public. This approach not only ensured that children were protected against polio but also paved the way for increased community engagement and empowerment through the dissemination of vital health information.
In some provinces, partners such as JF Kapnek Trust, Population Service International, and Zvandiri provided extra vehicles to reach hard-to-reach areas. These collaborative efforts exemplify the power of partnerships in achieving common goals.
Mr. Tawanda Dube, a ward councillor in Masvingo District, demonstrated his commitment to the cause by personally leading a vaccination team to families who typically shy away from participating in vaccination activities due to religious reasons. After education and engagement at the household level, 10 children from three households were successfully vaccinated. Mr. Dube emphasized the preventable nature of polio and the importance of protecting every child from its debilitating effects.
Zimbabwe’s comprehensive response to polio extends beyond the vaccination campaign. The country’s health facilities have created a database of villages and under-five children within their catchment areas, which will serve as a guide for future programs, strengthen routine immunization provision, and enhance access through improved planning.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has played a vital role in supporting planning, preparations, implementation, and coordination of the vaccination campaign. WHO has also focused on strengthening surveillance activities to facilitate early detection of any polioviruses and expand Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance. Both AFP surveillance and environmental surveillance in Harare aim to detect polio cases and traces of the virus in wastewater.
With increased immunizations, continued commitment from health leaders, and the support of partners, Zimbabwe aims to eliminate all forms of polio in the region. The widespread success of the vaccination campaigns is an encouraging step towards achieving this goal.
Poliomyelitis, also known as polio, is a highly infectious disease that primarily affects children under the age of five. It can cause lifelong paralysis and can only be prevented through immunization. Zimbabwe has made significant progress in eradicating polio, with the last reported case in 1989. The country was certified polio-free in 2005. Zimbabwe’s robust routine immunization program has achieved approximately 90% coverage for polio vaccination in recent years, ensuring that children receive the vaccine at six, ten, and 14 weeks free of charge at health institutions across the country.
