Nairobi/Kampala – Between October 3 and 6, 2024, greater than 6.5 million youngsters have been vaccinated in a profitable synchronized polio marketing campaign between Kenya and Uganda. This cross-border achievement started with a coordinated launch in Bungoma District, Kenya, and Mbale District, Uganda. 

Each international locations have set an exemplary commonplace of their current synchronized polio vaccination marketing campaign performed this week, which centered on high-risk cross-border areas. By conducting these campaigns on the identical dates, sharing real-time info, each international locations ensured that youngsters below 5 in these weak areas have been reached successfully, decreasing the possibility of cross-border virus transmission. This joint effort is the results of current detections in Kenya (with 6 polioviruses in 2024 alone) and Uganda (with 1 virus reported this 12 months by means of environmental surveillance) and it displays the broader precept that no baby needs to be left unprotected just because they reside close to a global boundary. 

“Our well being staff will vaccinate each baby in opposition to polio door-to-door. Vaccination has eradicated many illnesses in Uganda. We thank all our companions for his or her help in guaranteeing a polio-free future. Shield your youngsters from paralysis & vaccinate right this moment”. Mentioned Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, the Director of Public Well being within the Ministry of Well being of Uganda.  

Well being authorities have due to this fact put in place frequent methods not solely at nationwide ranges in Kenya and Uganda, but in addition regionally, with explicit deal with all the ten districts bordering each international locations, masking a complete of 772 kilometers. 

“The virus is spreading quick within the East African area placing our youngsters – notably aged 5 years or beneath on the threat of contracting this incurable but vaccine-preventable illness” – affirmed Dr. Charles Njuguna, the World Well being Group (WHO) nation consultant in Uganda. 

This entailed putting in micro plans: mapping the cross-border communities, migratory routes, cross-border entry/exit factors, and transit routes for every of the cross-border services. 

“The Present Polio outbreak in Japanese Africa is fueled by heavy motion of high-risk populations between international locations. The choice by the Governments of Kenya and Uganda to conduct two synchronized in October 2-6 and November 6-10 is a laudable effort help by the GPEI partnership”. – confirmed the International Polio Eradication Initiative Coordinator in Kenya, Charles Korir. 

The collaborative initiative comes as a part of a broader technique supported by the World Well being Group (WHO) and different GPEI companions, aiming to shut immunization gaps and tackle the persistent problem of “zero-dose” youngsters—those that have by no means been vaccinated. Each Kenya and Uganda have acknowledged that polio eradication can’t be achieved in isolation, and their united entrance is a robust instance of how regional cooperation may also help obtain public well being objectives. 

Polio is aware of no borders, and neither ought to the battle to eradicate it. Cross-border communities, particularly these residing in distant or nomadic areas, are at heightened threat of an infection attributable to their mobility and the porous nature of worldwide boundaries. That is why the coordination of vaccination efforts between neighboring international locations is vital to reaching complete immunization protection, in order that the danger of paralysis as a result of virus will be prevented.  

Because the world strikes nearer to eradicating polio, this synchronized method shall be key in guaranteeing that no pockets of the virus stay in these hard-to-reach areas. Kenya and Uganda’s coordinated actions not solely shield their very own populations but in addition contribute to international well being safety by stopping the virus from spreading past their borders. 

This collaboration serves as a mannequin for different international locations going through related challenges. By persevering with to prioritize cross-border vaccination synchronization, Kenya, Uganda, and their well being companions are main the way in which towards a polio-free future for all.