Burkina Faso launches polio vaccination drive across seven regions
In a concerted effort to curb the spread of polio, health authorities in Burkina Faso, in collaboration with UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), have initiated a large-scale vaccination campaign targeting children under five in seven key regions of the country.
Key campaign details
- Dates: September 18–21, 2020
- Target population: Over 2 million children aged 0–59 months
- Regions covered: Plateau Central, Centre, Centre-Nord, Centre-Ouest, Centre-Sud, Est, Centre-Est
- Vaccine doses: 2.29 million doses procured with UNICEF support
- Workforce: 5,000+ health workers and mobilizers conducting door-to-door outreach
This initiative follows the detection of a poliovirus case in Ouargaye (Centre-Est region) in January 2020. A localized vaccination response was swiftly launched, but the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted ongoing efforts, leading to a temporary halt in immunization campaigns nationwide.
Impact of Covid-19 on public health
James Mugaju, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Burkina Faso, highlighted the pandemic’s severe consequences:
- Disruption of routine vaccination services
- Increase in epidemic-prone diseases, including polio
- Rise in acute flaccid paralysis cases (600+ reported post-pandemic)
« The Covid-19 crisis forced us to pause critical vaccination campaigns, leaving children vulnerable to preventable diseases like polio. This campaign is a lifeline to restore immunity and protect our youngest citizens. »
Ensuring safe vaccination amid pandemic risks
The campaign integrates rigorous safety protocols to protect both children and health workers:
- Distribution of 39,500 masks and 26,500 bottles of hand sanitizer
- Strict adherence to WHO-approved Covid-19 guidelines
- Community engagement to build trust and awareness
UNICEF and WHO emphasize the urgency of this intervention, noting Burkina Faso’s status as one of 15 African nations currently battling circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks. The country was declared free of wild poliovirus in 2015 but remains vulnerable to reintroduction.
Next phases of the response
A second round of vaccination is scheduled for early October 2020, expanding coverage to include the Sahel and Nord regions.
« Every child must be reached, vaccinated, and protected, » stated Mugaju. « Despite security challenges and the pandemic, we cannot afford to leave any child behind in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases. »
Understanding polio
Poliomyelitis is a highly contagious viral infection transmitted through contaminated water or food. It invades the nervous system, causing irreversible paralysis in severe cases. While most children show no symptoms, the virus can lead to lifelong disability. Vaccination remains the only effective defense.
Health authorities urge parents, community leaders, and local governments to support the campaign’s success. Collective action is critical to eliminating polio and safeguarding Burkina Faso’s children from this preventable threat.
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