Tag: POLIO

Zimbabwe Fails to Immunise 34,000 Children Every Year

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is falling behind in its efforts to fully immunise every child, with approximately 34,000 children going without basic vaccinations each year. This alarming statistic, contained in the latest World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC) report released on July 15, 2025, highlights the persistent vulnerability of Zimbabwe’s youngest citizens, many of whom remain completely unprotected from life-threatening vaccine-preventable diseases. The WUENIC report revealed that across Southern Africa, the number of “zero-dose” children, those who have not received even the first dose…

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Global Polio Eradication Efforts Face New Challenge with Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus

Michael Gwarisa
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By Michael Gwarisa Even though the world has made remarkable progress in the fight against polio, with wild poliovirus now circulating in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, a new challenge has emerged: vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV), which is causing outbreaks in previously polio-free regions. The development underscores the urgent need for robust immunization programmes and global cooperation to achieve the goal of complete polio eradication by 2023, as outlined in the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030). The Polio Eradication Journey Polio, a debilitating and potentially fatal disease, has been targeted for…

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Repeated Oral Polio Vaccinations Safe, Crucial for Outbreak Response – MoHCC

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Amid growing concerns from parents and guardians over the frequent administration of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has assured the public that the vaccine is safe and necessary to halt transmission. Zimbabwe’s environmental surveillance detected a vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) strain circulating in sewage systems in Harare’s high-density suburbs, Budiriro, Mbare, and Mufakose, in 2023. In response, the Ministry has been conducting multiple rounds of vaccination campaigns targeting children under the age of 10. From February 4 to…

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Second polio vaccination campaign in Zim begins

Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter The second round of the national polio vaccination campaign begins today with the Health and Child Care Ministry anticipating to vaccinate over 4 million children. Polio is a dangerous disease that can cause paralysis or death of children. The Health Ministry in collaboration with UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), and many partners last month started the nationwide polio vaccination campaign using the novel OPV type two (nOPV2) vaccine following the confirmation of circulating poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in Zimbabwe. The two phased campaign aims to…

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Polio Detected in Zimbabwe Sewages

Michael Gwarisa

Health authorities in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe have detected a vaccine-derived Poliovirus type 2 (Cvdpv2) circulating in the sewage system in high-density suburbs of Budiriro, Crowbrough, Mbare, and Mufakose. By Michael Gwarisa According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Vaccine-derived poliovirus is a well-documented strain of poliovirus mutated from the strain originally contained in Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). OPV contains a live, weakened form of poliovirus that replicates in the intestine for a limited period, thereby developing immunity by building up antibodies. In Harare the poliovirus was detected through…

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A Mother’s Unwavering Commitment: Ryan’s first Polio Vaccination

Healthtimes

What seemingly started like an ordinary morning for Whyy Mutumbunzou (21), with her routine house chores, including caring for her only child, 1-year-old Ryan, took an unexpected and thrilling turn. A radio broadcast message from the MoHCC encouraging all mothers and caregivers to bring their children under five years for the 4th round of the Polio vaccination campaign. By Own Correspondent Despite not knowing what Polio was, Whyy enthusiastically gathered her belongings and walked briskly with her son to the nearest clinic, Hatcliff Family Health Services. For Whyy, the choice…

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Zimbabwe Launches Door-to-Door Supplementary Polio Immunisation Program

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) will from 27 to 30 October, 2022 kick-start the first round of a nationwide supplementary Polio immunisation drive as the country scales-up disease and outbreaks preparedness and prevention in children. By Michael Gwarisa The second round will start from December 1 up to December 4 and will be targeting children from Zero to five years. The supplementary vaccination will target children within the mentioned age range regardless of previous vaccination status. Even though Zimbabwe was certified Polio free in 2005, there have…

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Zim preps intensified measles, polio vaccination

Michael Gwarisa

PREPARATIONS for an intensified measles and polio vaccination campaign are well on course as the Ministry of Health and Child Care commenced the training of trainers in Masvingo on Monday. This comes on the heels of the declaration of a measles outbreak in Mutasa district. The Health Ministry is conducting a Intergrated meeting on Polio Campaign & EPI Training of Trainers workshop on Supplementary Immunization Activities with support from UNICEF ZIMBABWE and WHO Zimbabwe. The participants were drawn from the country’s 10 provinces. “There are planned measles and polio campaigns…

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Children More Prone To Typhoid Fever: WHO

Healthtimes

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) Zimbabwe National Professional Officer for Expanded program on Immunization, Dr Maxwell Rupfutse  said research shows that children under the age of four are more susceptible to typhoid as compared to other age groups. By Patricia Mashiri Speaking during a virtual media sensitization meeting on Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Introduction and catch up vaccination campaign, Dr Rupfutse said typhoid fever death rates may rise when left untreated. Severe cases may lead to serious complications or even death. Death rates in typhoid fever range from 1-4% in treated…

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