Zimbabwe completes three-round polio vaccination drive to curb cross-border virus spread

ZIMBABWE—Zimbabwe has completed three rounds of synchronized vaccination campaigns using the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) as part of a coordinated Southern African effort to prevent the re-establishment of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).

The campaigns build on progress made since Zimbabwe declared a cVDPV2 outbreak in October 2023.

 Following four nationwide vaccination campaigns, strengthened surveillance and enhanced outbreak response measures, the country has not detected cVDPV2 since June 2024.

However, maintaining high population immunity and sensitive surveillance remains critical as the virus continues to circulate in parts of the region.

Regional campaign targets high-risk areas

To protect its progress, Zimbabwe joined Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Namibia and Botswana in a synchronized subregional vaccination effort targeting districts at high risk of virus importation.

Detailed risk assessments identified border areas and densely populated urban centres as priority locations.

The three-round campaign targeted children under five years in 27 high-risk districts across nine provinces.

Led by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC), the campaign received support from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Rotary International, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners.

More than 6,000 personnel participated in the campaign, including healthcare workers, village health workers, community volunteers, health managers and partner representatives.

In addition, nine national surge consultants supported surveillance, campaign implementation, community engagement, social mobilization, logistics, cold-chain management, data analysis and coordination.

Vaccination teams used health facilities and community outreach services, with door-to-door vaccination serving as the main strategy.

This approach enabled teams to reach children who might otherwise have missed vaccination and helped maintain high immunity in districts considered most vulnerable to poliovirus importation.

“The success of every vaccination campaign depends on teamwork,” said Sr. Chipangura, Nurse in Charge at Tariro Clinic in Harare South District.

“Seeing our teams work together to reach families and ensure that no child is missed gives me confidence that we can keep our communities safe from polio.”

Nearly three million children vaccinated

The first, second and third nOPV2 campaigns took place from 20–23 April, 2–5 June and 7–10 July 2026, respectively.

Campaign performance improved across the three rounds as teams strengthened planning, supervision and community engagement.

The campaigns vaccinated 936,618 children during the first round, 997,941 during the second and 1,025,806 during the third.

Altogether, nearly three million doses of nOPV2 were administered across the three rounds.

Independent monitoring and Lot Quality Assurance Surveys confirmed high vaccination coverage among eligible children.

Following each round, teams developed and implemented quality improvement plans to address operational challenges, strengthen social mobilization and improve access in hard-to-reach communities.

Beyond vaccination, the response has expanded acute flaccid paralysis and environmental surveillance, strengthened cross-border collaboration, supported routine immunization and improved monitoring and supervision systems.

“The fight against polio is a race to reach every child, everywhere, before the virus does,” said Dr Tiruneh Desta, WHO Representative to Zimbabwe.

 “Zimbabwe’s synchronized vaccination campaign reflects the power of regional solidarity and collective action in stopping poliovirus transmission.”

As the regional response continues, Zimbabwe is strengthening preparedness, surveillance, routine immunization and community engagement while improving vaccine accountability, waste management and laboratory surveillance capacity.