Zambia Launches Final Polio Vaccination Drive Targeting 3.9 Million Children

By Florence Kasumbalesa

Government, through the Ministry of Health, has launched the final round of the Sub-National Immunization Activities (SIA) polio vaccination campaign, targeting approximately 3.9 million children under the age of five.

The campaign is being implemented in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Rotary International, and other partners under the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

Speaking during the launch in Lusaka, Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa said the campaign follows two successful vaccination rounds conducted in April and June 2026 and forms part of Zambia’s regional response to prevent the spread of poliovirus.

He urged parents and caregivers to ensure every eligible child receives the vaccine, describing the final round as a critical step in closing immunity gaps and protecting children nationwide.

The vaccination campaign will run from 21 to 26 July 2026, with health workers expected to reach children in targeted districts across the country. The Ministry of Health has called on communities to cooperate with vaccination teams to help safeguard Zambia’s polio-free status and protect every child from the disease.