UNICEF Yemen & WHO Yemen - Second round of polio vaccination campaign to reach 1.3 million children in 12 governorates of Yemen

Aden, Yemen — July 15, 2024

More than 1.3 million children aged under five years will receive oral polio vaccines through the second round of a vaccination campaign from 15 to 17 July 2024 in 12 governorates of Yemen. Launched today by Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the campaign aims to stop further spread of the ongoing outbreak of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). Children will also receive vitamin A supplements to boost their natural immunity against diseases during this campaign.

The novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) campaign will target 1.3 million children in 120 districts in the 12 southern governorates. Around 9000 health workers, including supervisors and social mobilizers, were trained to cover 1 million households, through the house-to-house vaccination campaign. This is the second vaccination campaign in response to the outbreak of cVDPV2 which has paralysed 257 children in Yemen to date.

“This campaign is a critical step in our ongoing efforts to stop the ongoing outbreak of polio and prevent further spread of this disease that can cause lifelong paralysis in children," said Dr Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative in Yemen.

Polio infection can result in permanent, debilitating paralysis. It has no known cure but can easily be prevented through vaccination. “Vaccination is the only way to prevent children from contracting polio. It is not just an investment in the well-being of vulnerable children but also its economy and the future of the country. By joining hands with the government, religious leaders, donors, media, frontline workers, communities and parents, we will continue our fight to end vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative to Yemen.

The first round of the campaign successfully reached 1.3 million children with nOPV2 in the southern governorates in February 2024. WHO and UNICEF Yemen are collaborating closely with the Yemeni government, partners, and communities to ensure this campaign reaches every child possible to boost their immunity against polio. By combining their efforts and resources, WHO and UNICEF aim to increase vaccine coverage, safeguard vulnerable populations, and ultimately bring an end to polio in Yemen. This campaign is made possible through the generous support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), reaffirming the global commitment to a polio-free world.

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Media contacts

UNICEF Yemen Communications

Email: yemenmedia@unicef.org

WHO Yemen Communications

Email: mediayemen@who.int

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