In a proactive effort to prevent the cross-border transmission of the variant poliovirus (cVDPV1), Ethiopia and South Sudan recently concluded a synchronized vaccination campaign. From 7 to 10 May 2026, health authorities reached over 1,026,885 children under age five—achieving 101% coverage—across the Gambella, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Oromia regions.
This intervention was triggered by the detection of cVDPV1 in South Sudan in early 2026, with five cases already reported among refugee populations in Ethiopia’s Gambella region. Given the high mobility of traders, pastoralists, and refugees, regional health bureaus emphasized that synchronization was critical to interrupting the virus’s circulation.
The campaign, supported by the WHO, UNICEF, and the Gates Foundation, utilized detailed microplanning and specialized deployment strategies to reach mobile and riverine populations. Beyond delivering the bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (bOPV), the initiative integrated essential health services, including routine immunization for “zero-dose” children, tuberculosis screening, and referrals for obstetric fistula and clubfoot.
WHO Ethiopia Representative, Professor Francis Kasolo, stressed that the campaign highlights the necessity of regional vigilance. By aligning operational strategies and strengthening surveillance systems, Ethiopia and its partners are reinforcing the resilience of border communities. This successful effort reaffirms Ethiopia’s commitment to global polio eradication through sustained routine immunization and ongoing cross-border cooperation.
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