Burkina Faso launches nationwide polio vaccination drive in seven regions
Burkina Faso launches nationwide polio vaccination drive in seven regions
The Ministry of Health in Burkina Faso, in partnership with UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), has initiated a nationwide polio vaccination campaign targeting children under five in seven regions of the country.
The four-day immunization drive, running from September 18 to 21, 2020, aims to protect over 2 million children across the Plateau Central, Centre, Centre-Nord, Centre-Ouest, Centre-Sud, Est, and Centre-Est regions. This initiative follows the detection of a polio case in January 2020 in the Ouargaye health district, which prompted an initial localized response before the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted vaccination efforts.
impact of covid-19 on polio vaccination efforts
James Mugaju, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Burkina Faso, highlighted the significant setbacks caused by the pandemic: “The Covid-19 outbreak forced temporary suspension of vaccination campaigns, leading to interrupted immunization services and a rise in polio cases.” In June 2020, national disease surveillance systems identified nine new polio cases and over 600 acute flaccid paralysis cases, a condition linked to polio.
massive mobilization for a critical health intervention
The campaign mobilizes over 5,000 health workers and community agents who will conduct house-to-house visits to identify, sensitize, and vaccinate children aged 0 to 59 months. To ensure safety during the Covid-19 era, the teams are equipped with 39,500 masks and 26,500 bottles of hydroalcoholic gel to maintain barrier measures during door-to-door vaccination.
UNICEF and WHO have reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating polio in Burkina Faso. “We urge all stakeholders—local authorities, community leaders, and parents—to support and facilitate the work of vaccination teams,” Mugaju emphasized. “Polio remains a serious threat to children’s health, and we must eliminate this disease from the country.”
The country was declared free of wild poliovirus in 2015 but is now among 15 African nations experiencing outbreaks linked to other forms of poliovirus. A second round of vaccination is scheduled for early October 2020, targeting nine regions, including the Sahel and Nord regions.
understanding polio: a preventable threat
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects young children. The virus spreads through contaminated water or food and can lead to severe paralysis by invading the nervous system. Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent this debilitating disease.
This nationwide immunization effort underscores the urgent need to strengthen health systems in Burkina Faso amid ongoing security challenges and the Covid-19 pandemic. Ensuring every child receives life-saving vaccines is critical to protecting communities and advancing public health goals.
