The fourth-round national polio vaccination campaign with type two novel Oral Polio Vaccine (nOPV2) marked a milestone reaching over 26 million children in all regions, while in 22 zones in seven regions in Amhara, Oromia, Somali, South Ethiopia, Harari, Dire Dawa and Afar regions co-administered with bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV).
The national launching ceremony, held on 12th of December 2025 in Hawassa, Sidama Region, was graced by Her Excellency Dr Mekdes Daba, Health Minister of Ethiopia, Mr Beyene Berasa, Deputy Regional President of Sidama Region, , Dr Messay Hailu, Director General of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, and partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
H.E. Dr. Mekdes Daba reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to interrupting poliovirus transmission.
“As a country that has been certified as free of wild poliovirus in 2017, we will be collaboratively run the last mile to end polio and meet global commitments. No child will be left behind unvaccinated. During the house‑to‑house vaccination campaign, we will integrate lifesaving services including enhanced Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance, identification and linkage of zero‑dose and under‑vaccinated children, nutrition screening, growth monitoring, and Marburg surveillance. Together with partners, communities, and health workers, we will strengthen immunity, improve surveillance, and protect our children.”— H.E. Dr. Mekdes Daba.
Speaking on behalf of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners, Prof. Francis Kasolo, WHO Representative to Ethiopia, commended the Government of Ethiopia for its leadership, particularly the decision to co-administer bOPV with nOPV2 in 22 priority zones to strengthen population immunity against polio virus. He emphasized that this co-administration of bOPV will accelerate progress toward ending type 2 poliovirus transmission and also enhances Ethiopia’s ability to fight the transmission of other variant forms of poliovirus.”
Ethiopia successfully completed four rounds of novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) campaigns in 2025 (One nationwide, three sub-national). The four rounds—conducted between February and December 2025—led by the Ministry of Health/ Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) with support from WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, Gavi, Gates Foundation, and other immunization partners.
These vaccination campaigns were central to Ethiopia’s strategy to interrupt variant poliovirus transmission, close immunity gaps, and strengthen surveillance.
Building on the achievements of earlier rounds, Ethiopia continues to enhance vaccine preventable diseases surveillance, strengthen cross‑border coordination and collaboration, and strengthen routine immunization systems to ensure that every child is protected. Partners under the Global Polio Eradication Initiative reaffirmed their continued support, emphasizing that their collective efforts would secure a polio‑free future of the world.