Dar es Salaam— The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania today launched a subnational polio vaccination campaign in the Lake Zone targeting over 6.7 million children the country.
This is following the detection of a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) through environmental surveillance. This campaign underscores Tanzania’s strong commitment to protecting every child and sustaining its polio-free status, built on resilient health systems, high-performing immunization programs, and decisive government leadership.
Led by the Ministry of Health through the Immunization and Vaccine Development (IVD) Programme, the campaign aims to rapidly boost immunity among children under ten and interrupt any potential virus transmission across 7 regions: Mwanza, Geita, Mara, Shinyanga, Tabora, Siminyu and Singida.
Delivering the key note remarks, Dr Grace Magembe, the Chief Medical Officer noted,”Protecting the health of our children is our highest priority. This campaign demonstrates our commitment to leaving no child behind and ensuring Tanzania remains polio-free for generations to come.”
Tanzania’s response builds on decades of investment in disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, and immunization delivery. Following the poliovirus detection, the Government immediately activated a coordinated response across national, regional, and district levels.
In preparation for the campaign, the Ministry of Health and Regional Administrative Secretariats have:
- Deployed rapid response teams for verification, case investigations, and local preparedness assessments
- Strengthened Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) and environmental surveillance, increasing sampling frequency in high-risk districts
- Pre-positioned vaccines and cold chain supplies to guarantee uninterrupted availability
- Trained more than 20,000 vaccinators, supervisors, and social mobilizers in vaccination techniques, data management, and interpersonal communication
- Updated microplans to ensure every settlement, island, grazing area, and border crossing is covered
- Mobilized community health workers, local leaders, and faith-based institutions to encourage household participation and counter misinformation
- Established independent monitoring systems to rapidly detect and correct gaps in coverage
These measures reflect the strength of Tanzania’s decentralized health system and its commitment to ensuring no child is missed. The Government is working closely with World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Africa CDC, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Rotary International to ensure a high-quality, coordinated response.
WHO has supported the campaign through technical guidance, surge staff deployment, laboratory confirmation, strengthening surveillance, and training district teams and independent monitors.
Dr Alex Gasasira, the WHO Representative in Tanzania, reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment:
“Protecting Tanzania’s polio-free status is a national priority. WHO remains fully engaged alongside the Government and partners to ensure high-quality vaccination, strong surveillance, and resilient primary health care systems. Every child must be reached, everywhere.”
The campaign heavily relies on Tanzania’s dedicated community health workers, local leaders, teachers, media, and civil society organizations. ommunities have been mobilized through local radio, megaphone announcements, school engagements, and door-to-door outreach.
Although Tanzania has remained polio-free for many years, the continued circulation of poliovirus in parts of Africa and globally highlights the importance of vigilance, strong surveillance, and high population immunity.
The Ministry of Health urges all parents and caregivers to ensure that every child under five receives the oral polio vaccine, even if previously vaccinated, as multiple doses provide the highest level of protection.
