Nationwide polio vaccination campaign in full swing

The rollout of a nationwide polio vaccination campaign aimed at children under 10 years of age commenced on 26 January.

Jonas A-Jay Angombe (15 months old) became the first recipient of the vaccine at the Lüderitz State Hospital. He received “the drops” from Nurse Natasha Simon, who administered the vaccine to him in the presence of the mayor of the harbour town, Brigitte Fredericks, and a large crowd. “Today marks an important step in our shared responsibility to protect the health and future of our children. The rollout of this polio vaccination campaign reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that no child is left vulnerable to a disease that is entirely preventable,” said the mayor.

Fredericks stressed that polio remains a threat wherever children are not fully immunised. “This campaign is not just about vaccines. It is about hope, protection, and our collective duty to safeguard the next generation. I am therefore urging all parents and caregivers to present their children for immunisation and to support vaccination teams as they go from house to house. Let us work together to ensure full coverage in every community.” The mayor also commended health workers, volunteers, development partners, and community mobilizers who are on the frontlines of the effort, saying, “Your dedication saves lives,” she said. 

The campaign, which is being done over two rounds (from 26 to 29 January and from 24 to 27 February), follows after the detection of poliovirus type 2 on 13 November 2025 through routine environmental surveillance from a sewage sample collected in Ndama, Rundu, in the Kavango East region. Although no polio cases have been reported, the ministry says laboratory investigations have confirmed that the virus was genetically linked to cases reported in neighbouring Angola. 

“Polio is an infectious viral disease that can lead to paralysis of the limbs (arms and legs). It is mainly transmitted through the faecal-oral route, particularly where sanitation and hygiene are inadequate. There is no cure for polio, but it can be prevented, and that is why it is very important to vaccinate our children. We are vaccinating our children against polio type 2,” explained Joe Nyambe, a primary healthcare supervisor. 

Vaccination will be offered at health facilities, fixed and outreach sites and through door-to-door visits by trained teams. “We are employing different strategies, with house-to-house visits being the main one here in Lüderitz. There will be teams visiting schools and the locations with fixed points in Area 7 at the yellow container, the one we referred to as a TB container, and a team stationed at the Benguela Community Hall,” said Nyambe.  

He urged community members and Namibians at large to open their doors to the teams issuing the vaccination. “Children (including those already vaccinated during routine immunisation) must receive the vaccine in both rounds. Give us a warm welcome, and in doing so, you will contribute to a polio-free Namibia,” Nyambe concluded.