Nearly 80,000 children in Western still unvaccinated as polio campaign struggles to reach remote areas

The Western Provincial Health Authority has immunized 32,612 children under the age of 10 during the first phase of its polio vaccination campaign, but health officials say that nearly 80,000 children remain unvaccinated, leaving communities at risk of serious disease outbreaks.

The campaign, which ran from August 13 to 31, targeted 111,107 children across the province’s four districts. An additional five days has been given to health facilities that started late, with mop-up exercises scheduled to end on Friday, September 5.

Acting Provincial Extended Program on Immunization [EPI] manager Brian Ambrias said the gap in coverage is due to lack of stronger community support.

“Low childhood vaccination rates significantly increase the risk of disease outbreaks, as they weaken herd immunity,” he said.

“When fewer children are immunized, diseases like measles, mumps, and whooping cough can spread more easily and cause serious illness, disability, or even death.”

He said some of the 42 health facilities faced major logistical challenges in reaching remote communities, especially in Delta Fly and Middle Fly districts. These areas will be the focus of phase two of the vaccination drive, set to begin next month.

The campaign is part of a nationwide polio response coordinated by the National Department of Health [NDoH] with support from the World Health Organization [WHO] and other partners.

Ambrias urged churches, schools, and local leaders to take active roles in mobilizing families for the next phase.