Somalia introduces vital vaccines and launches measles campaign

SOMALIA–The Federal Republic of Somalia has introduced two vital vaccines—one against pneumococcal infections and another against rotavirus diarrhoea—into its national immunisation programme.

At the same time, the country has launched a nationwide measles catch-up campaign, aiming to protect children from three of the deadliest diseases: measles, pneumonia, and rotavirus-related diarrhoea.

These conditions are among the leading causes of illness and death in Somali children, together accounting for an estimated 43% of annual child deaths in the country.

This comprehensive initiative is led by the Somali Ministry of Health, with strong support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF.

 The timing is critical, as Somalia continues to experience recurring measles outbreaks and elevated rates of child mortality from pneumonia and diarrhea.

The introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is particularly important because pneumococcal infections can cause severe diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and septicemia.

In countries where PCV has been included in routine immunization schedules, there have been marked reductions in infant deaths and hospitalizations from bacterial infections.

 Similarly, rotavirus is a major cause of severe diarrhoea in young children, contributing to malnutrition and death from dehydration.

 In sub-Saharan Africa, rotavirus is estimated to cause over 200,000 deaths annually among children under five.

The measles catch-up campaign is designed to quickly close immunity gaps among children who have missed routine vaccinations, often due to insecurity, displacement, or disruptions in health services.

The campaign aims to reach millions of children across Somalia, protecting one of the most contagious and deadly vaccine-preventable diseases.

Health leaders and partners have underscored the significance of this achievement.

Dr. Ali Haji Adam Abubakar, Somalia’s Federal Minister of Health, emphasized that introducing these vaccines is a major step toward reducing child deaths and building a healthier future for the nation’s youth.

 Patience Musanhu, Senior Country Manager for Somalia at Gavi, highlighted that this investment will save lives and significantly impact health and development for families, communities, and the broader health system.

She reaffirmed Gavi’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s vision for a healthier, more prosperous future.

Dr. Kamil Mohamed Ali, WHO Representative a.i., described the vaccine launch as a promise to Somalia’s children that their lives and health matter.

He noted that the new vaccines and the measles campaign are turning the tide against preventable childhood deaths and reaffirming a commitment to equity and access.

Dr. Wafaa Saeed, the UNICEF Representative for Somalia, described the introduction of these vaccines as a “big win” for children.

She noted that, alongside the measles campaign, these vaccines could prevent nearly half of all deaths among young children in Somalia each year.

 This initiative would spare families immense grief and provide children with the opportunity to grow up and contribute to their country’s progress.

This joint effort reflects the Somali government’s and its partners’ steadfast commitment to expand equitable access to essential health services.

By broadening the national immunization schedule, Somalia is making a decisive move to protect its children from preventable diseases and laying the groundwork for a healthier, more resilient future.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and beyond. Also, follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.