In a remarkable cross-border collaboration, Kenya and Uganda successfully vaccinated over 6.5 million children against polio during a synchronized campaign held from October 3 to 6, 2024.
The effort, launched in Bungoma District, Kenya, and Mbale District, Uganda, focused on high-risk regions along the 772-kilometer shared border.
The campaign targeted children under five, aiming to reduce the risk of cross-border polio transmission. This joint effort follows recent poliovirus detections in both countries, with Kenya reporting six cases and Uganda identifying one case through environmental surveillance this year.
Health authorities from both nations worked together to map communities, migratory routes, and cross-border entry points, ensuring no child was left unprotected.
Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, Uganda’s Director of Public Health, emphasized the importance of vaccinating every child, while Dr. Charles Njuguna from WHO Uganda highlighted the fast spread of the virus in the region.
Supported by the World Health Organization and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), this synchronized approach sets a new standard for cross-border cooperation in public health, protecting vulnerable populations and contributing to global efforts to eradicate polio. Another round of vaccinations is scheduled for November 6 to 10.
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