Tanzania Launches Nationwide Polio Vaccination Campaign

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), and other stakeholders, has announced a nationwide polio vaccination campaign targeting children following the detection of the virus in environmental samples collected in Mwanza.  

Tanzania was declared free of wild poliovirus type 1 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in November 2015. However, following the recent detection of the virus in Majitaka, Mwanza, authorities have responded quickly to contain any potential spread. No confirmed cases of illness among children have been reported so far.  

The campaign will administer the novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) to all children under 10, with each child scheduled to receive two doses. The first round of vaccination will take place from 24 to 27 March 2026, while the second round is planned for 7 to 10 May 2026. The exercise will cover Mwanza and neighbouring regions, including Geita, Mara, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Singida, and Tabora.  

The initiative seeks to protect children from poliovirus type 2, which can cause paralysis, and to prevent any potential outbreak. Authorities are focusing on approximately 6.8 million children across the seven regions.  

To ensure broad coverage, 14,436 vaccination teams, each consisting of a vaccinator, a community mobiliser, and a recorder, will be deployed to health facilities, homes, schools, places of worship, bus stations, and markets. Regional and district leaders have been instructed to ensure adequate vaccine supplies, equipment, and trained personnel, along with intensified public awareness and community engagement campaigns.  

The public has been encouraged to cooperate with health officials, ensure eligible children receive the vaccine, stay alert for signs of sudden paralysis, and seek prompt medical attention when needed. The campaign highlights the government’s dedication to protecting children’s health and maintaining the country’s polio-free status.  

 (Source: Daily News)