In February 2024 UNICEF announced that Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC), in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO, and other partners, launched a nationwide polio vaccination campaign with the novel OPV type two (nOPV2) vaccine after circulating poliovirus type 2 (CVDPV2) was confirmed in Zimbabwe. The campaign will target all children under 10 years old to “interrupt transmission” and prevent further outbreaks.
Polio detected
UNICEF states that “routine environmental surveillance” detected seventeen circulating poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in sewage samples collected in Harare. Additional human cases were identified by the MOHCC through “intensified disease surveillance” in Mashonaland West and Harare Provinces.
Dr Douglas Mombeshora, Honourable Minister of Health and Child Care, commented that the detection of cVDPV2 is a “serious concern”, but one that the country is “prepared to respond” to “swiftly and effectively”.
“This nationwide vaccination campaign demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting the health of every child in Zimbabwe.”
nOPV2
The campaign will be implemented in two phases with the intention of reaching around 4 million children each time. UNICEF states that wide coverage will be achieved through a combination of “the usual” vaccination at health facilities with a door-to-door approach. The novel OPV2 vaccine will be used, the first time it is being deployed in Zimbabwe since it was launched by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 2021. However, it has already been used effectively in other countries such as Ethiopia and Nigeria.
GPEI states that nOPV2 has proven to be “as safe to use and effective at stopping outbreaks” as the previous vaccine, mOPV2, but is “more genetically stable”. It is the “tool of choice” for stopping outbreaks. Vaccine development began in 2011 thanks to a consortium led by the Bell & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Public health communication
UNICEF indicates that, to support the vaccination campaign, “large-scale communication activities” are being rolled out to promote information and motivation to get children vaccinated. Social mobilisation campaigns include the use of mass media and interpersonal communication.
MOHCC, UNICEF, and WHO call for:
- All parents and caregivers to bring children under 10 years old to get vaccinated during the campaign
- Healthcare workers to be vigilant in identifying and reporting suspected polio cases
- Community and religious leaders to support communities during the campaign and promote public awareness about polio
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