Zambia’s Final Polio Vaccination Drive Aims to Immunize 3. 9 Million Children BODY: Lusaka, Zambia – The Government of Zambia, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, UNICEF, and other Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners, has initiated the final phase of the Sub-National Immunization Activities (SIA) polio campaign. Launched on 19 July 2026, this campaign is a pivotal effort to immunize approximately 3.
9 million children under the age of five across the nation.
The campaign is a crucial component of a regional outbreak response, targeting six priority provinces where the risk of polio remains heightened.
The decision to focus on these areas comes following the detection of poliovirus in environmental samples, emphasizing the urgency of this final push in Zambia’s fight against the disease.
In a concurrent development, the Government of Zambia has also unveiled the solarized National Vaccine Store, which includes a 100-kW solar photovoltaic system. This infrastructure is a significant stride towards reinforcing the country’s vaccine cold chain and securing the stability of the immunization process. Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, underscored the importance of the campaign during its launch, emphasizing the need to bolster immunity among children under five years of age.
Kangwa’s comments reflect the broader regional effort to combat polio outbreaks and enhance child health outcomes.
The campaign follows two earlier rounds conducted in April and June 2026, which have contributed to the regional efforts to combat the disease. Zambia’s commitment to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which aims to eradicate polio worldwide, is evident in these sustained efforts.
As Zambia progresses with this critical health initiative, the international community remains vigilant, monitoring the campaign’s progress and supporting efforts to protect its children.
The success of this campaign could have significant implications for the eradication of polio not only in Zambia but across the African continent.
The nation awaits the outcomes that will determine the next steps in the fight against this infectious disease.
*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
