ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — In a coordinated effort to combat the threat of polio, Ethiopia and South Sudan have jointly launched a synchronized polio vaccination campaign. Aimed at protecting over one million children under five years old in high-risk border areas and refugee camps, the campaign is a proactive response to the detection of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) in South Sudan. From May 7 to 10, 2026, the bivalent Oral Polio vaccine (bOPV) was administered during the campaign, a collaborative venture between the health authorities of both nations.
The Gambella Regional Health Bureau Head, Dr. Abel Assefa, emphasized the critical need to reach children in border regions and refugee camps to prevent the virus’s spread.
The campaign was prompted by the discovery of cVDPV1 in South Sudan, including cases near the Ethiopian border, highlighting the porous borders and high population mobility between the two countries.
The WHO Ethiopia Representative, Professor Francis Kasolo, highlighted the campaign’s proactive nature and its importance in protecting children, particularly in Gambella, which is characterized by mobility, diversity, and strong cross-border ties.
The campaign’s effectiveness and the current vaccination coverage rate for children under five in the affected regions are crucial areas for further investigation and follow-up reporting.
As Ethiopia and South Sudan continue their efforts to combat polio, the success of this vaccination drive is vital for safeguarding the health of vulnerable communities and preventing the virus’s further spread across the region.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: World Health Organization
