Tanzania hosts urgent talks on polio eradication in Africa

TANZANIA – The Africa Regional Certification Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (ARCC) has urged Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and critical health organisations to intensify efforts to close polio immunity gaps and address active outbreaks. 

These recommendations followed a week-long summit in Dar es Salaam from October 29 to November 1, 2024, where ARCC members, health officials, polio experts, and global partners convened to strategize against the ongoing polio threat.

Zanzibar’s Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. Hassan Khamis Hafidh, highlighted Tanzania’s commitment to polio eradication, reaffirming the nation’s goal of achieving wild polio-free status. 

He warmly welcomed the summit’s delegates, and noted Tanzania’s dedication to polio prevention and eradication. 

ARCC Chair Prof. Rose Leke echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the commission’s full support toward halting variant poliovirus transmission in Africa by 2026. 

As polio outbreaks persist, ARCC reviewed the status of polio eradication efforts across Africa, noting that 23 countries had been affected by the virus in 2024.  

This review examined both global and regional progress, focusing specifically on the six nations represented at the meeting.  

Dr. Jamal Ahmed, the Polio Eradication Programme Coordinator at the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Africa Regional Office, commended Africa’s recent success in significantly reducing variant poliovirus types 1 and 2. 

However, he urged nations to remain vigilant, stressing that high surveillance and response preparedness remain essential given the continued spread of polio in the region. 

A pressing concern raised by the ARCC was the need to increase vaccination doses. 

Currently, 18 African countries administer only a single dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), which is below WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts’ recommendation of two doses. 

The ARCC encouraged these countries to accelerate the introduction of a second dose to boost immunity and better protect their populations. 

The ARCC also stressed the importance of coordinated, high-quality outbreak responses. 

Effective response plans require precise mapping of cross-border communities, migratory routes, and transit points to ensure vaccinations reach every household with eligible children, especially in remote or transient areas.  

Synchronizing vaccination efforts across neighbouring countries is critical to prevent virus transmission and eliminate the risk of paralysis caused by the poliovirus. 

Acknowledging the immunity gaps in several countries, including Tanzania and Kenya, ARCC recommended that polio surveillance and outbreak response activities be seamlessly integrated into routine immunisation programs. 

 The commission also commended expanding the African polio laboratory network, strengthening regional capacity to sequence and track poliovirus.  

However, challenges remain, particularly in safeguarding facilities housing polioviruses from natural disasters that could release infectious materials.  

In response, ARCC called on WHO to provide technical support in risk management and inventory updates for facilities vulnerable to natural events. 

The commission’s role is crucial to Africa’s polio eradication journey. It prioritizes support for national surveillance systems, vaccination coverage, and coordinated outbreak responses. 

During the meeting, the delegates honoured Dr Esther Khomo, a dedicated ARCC member who is now retiring after many years of service in the fight against polio.  

Her tireless commitment to a polio-free world has left a legacy, inspiring those who have worked alongside her.

When closing the conference, Dr. Vida Makundi, Director of Preventive Services at Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, expressed pride in Tanzania’s role in supporting the continent-wide immunisation and surveillance efforts that safeguard children.  

With the global target for polio eradication now set for 2029, the ARCC remains resolute in pushing forward, collaborating with WHO, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, governments, and stakeholders worldwide to achieve a polio-free Africa.

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