Somalia has launched a significant four-day nationwide polio vaccination campaign aimed at protecting 2.5 million children under the age of five from the crippling disease. This initiative comes as part of ongoing efforts to combat a persistent polio outbreak in the country. The Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services leads the campaign, with strong support from global health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
The focus of this vaccination drive is on high-risk regions, including Jubaland, Hirshabelle, Southwest, Galmudug, and the Benadir Regional Administration. These areas are particularly vulnerable due to the presence of circulating variant type 2 poliovirus, which has been a challenge in Somalia since 2017. Health workers are administering the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2), a crucial tool in preventing the spread of the virus. The campaign’s door-to-door vaccination approach ensures that even remote communities are reached, which is critical to stopping the transmission of polio.
Despite significant progress, Somalia faces ongoing challenges in eradicating polio. The country remains one of seven high-risk regions identified by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative due to persistent outbreaks and difficulties in vaccine delivery, largely influenced by insecurity and a fragile health infrastructure. Other regions flagged as high-risk for polio include Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mozambique’s Tete province, parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, northern Yemen, and northern Nigeria.
Polio is a devastating disease that can lead to lifelong paralysis or even death in children. However, it is entirely preventable through vaccination. Somali health officials are confident that sustained efforts, along with strong community engagement and the support of global health partners, can help stop the spread of the virus and safeguard the health of every child in the country.
The 2025 vaccination campaign builds on previous successes, with health workers reaching 600,000 children who had never received a single vaccine dose in the previous year. However, gaps still remain, and an estimated 1.5 million children are at risk of contracting polio. The latest vaccination drive seeks to address these gaps and strengthen Somalia’s broader immunization strategy, which has made important strides in improving vaccine coverage over the past few years.
The Somali government has also been proactive in addressing the broader challenges facing the country’s health system. A national task force on immunization and polio eradication has been established to accelerate progress in these areas. Chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, this task force is working to ensure that all necessary resources and efforts are mobilized to eliminate polio in Somalia once and for all.
Additionally, the government has announced plans to introduce new vaccines later this year, including those for pneumococcal disease and rotavirus. These diseases are major contributors to child mortality in Somalia, with pneumonia and diarrhea being among the leading causes of death for children under five. By expanding the scope of immunization to include these vaccines, the Somali government aims to reduce child mortality and improve overall health outcomes for its youngest citizens.
With the support of both national and international partners, Somalia is making meaningful progress in its fight against polio and other preventable diseases. The ongoing vaccination campaigns, coupled with new efforts to improve health infrastructure, offer hope for a healthier future for Somali children. However, the country’s work is far from over, and continued commitment will be needed to ensure that every child is protected from preventable diseases like polio, pneumonia, and diarrhea.
