The Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) in Sudan has initiated a crucial nationwide polio vaccination campaign, aiming to protect over 4.3 million children under the age of five. This significant health intervention, conducted in close partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is a direct response to the recent detection of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) within the country. The campaign is designed to reach vulnerable children, especially those in high-risk, underserved, and conflict-affected regions, ensuring that no child misses out on this vital protection. ## Urgent Action Against a Resurgent Threat The vaccination drive, the first of two planned rounds, specifically targets children across seven states: Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala, Khartoum, North Kordofan, Sennar, and White Nile. Its urgency stems from the identification of cVDPV2 in December 2025 in Kassala and North Kordofan States. This detection serves as a stark reminder of the escalating immunity gaps among children since the onset of the conflict in April 2023, which has severely disrupted routine health services across Sudan. The FMOH, with robust support from its international partners, has swiftly activated a coordinated national response to curb the virus's spread and protect future generations. ## Understanding Polio: A Persistent Danger Polio, short for poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. This virus primarily affects young children and spreads mainly through the fecal-oral route, often in environments with poor sanitation. While many people infected with poliovirus show no symptoms, the virus can invade the nervous system in some cases, leading to total paralysis in a matter of hours. This paralysis is often permanent and can affect the legs, arms, and even the muscles needed for breathing, which can be fatal. There is no cure for polio once contracted, making prevention through vaccination the only effective defense. ## The Role of Vaccination in Eradication Polio vaccination has been one of the greatest public health successes, bringing the world to the brink of eradicating the disease. Vaccines work by introducing a weakened or inactivated form of the virus to the body, allowing the immune system to develop antibodies without causing the disease. The oral polio vaccine (OPV), often used in outbreak responses, not only protects the vaccinated child but also helps reduce the spread of the virus in communities. Multiple doses are critical to achieve full and lasting immunity. This campaign emphasizes that strong immunization coverage acts as a barrier, preventing the virus from finding new hosts and multiplying, thereby protecting entire communities. ## Navigating Challenges Amidst Conflict The ongoing conflict in Sudan has presented monumental challenges to public health efforts. Years of instability have severely disrupted routine immunization programs, leaving an estimated 1.5 million children under five years old inadequately protected against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases. The displacement of populations and cross-border movements further complicate efforts, increasing the risk of virus transmission across wider areas. Despite these extraordinary difficulties, Sudan's dedicated health workers, with the backing of the FMOH, WHO, and UNICEF, are tirelessly working to reach every child. They are conducting detailed microplanning, mobilizing thousands of trained vaccinators and community workers, and establishing robust systems to ensure no child is missed, even in the most remote and challenging settings. ## A Unified Effort for Child Health and Future Generations The success of this campaign hinges on strong collaboration. The Federal Ministry of Health is providing strategic leadership, coordinating with state authorities, and overseeing the entire implementation process. WHO is offering critical technical and operational support, including training for vaccination teams, rigorous campaign monitoring, and post-campaign evaluations to guarantee quality and effectiveness. Meanwhile, UNICEF is pivotal in ensuring the timely availability of vaccines, facilitating the procurement and logistical delivery of 10.9 million doses to all targeted areas. As UNICEF Representative for Sudan Sheldon Yett emphasized, “A child’s access to vaccines in Sudan should never depend on where they live or the circumstances they face. Polio anywhere remains a risk to children everywhere.” ## Circulating Variant Poliovirus Type 2 (cVDPV2): A Specific Concern The detection of cVDPV2 is particularly concerning. This type of poliovirus can emerge in areas with low vaccination coverage. When the weakened live poliovirus from the oral polio vaccine (OPV) circulates in under-immunized populations for a prolonged period, it can genetically revert to a form that can cause paralysis, similar to the wild poliovirus. The presence of cVDPV2 signals significant immunity gaps within a community, making prompt and widespread vaccination crucial to prevent further outbreaks and protect children from this dangerous variant. Responding to cVDPV2 requires targeted vaccination campaigns with OPV, as seen in Sudan, to build population immunity rapidly. ## Global Commitment to Eradicating Polio Sudan’s campaign aligns with the broader Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a worldwide effort to wipe out polio completely. For decades, the GPEI, involving governments, WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, and others, has made remarkable progress, reducing polio cases by over 99% since 1988. However, as long as a single child remains infected, children in all countries are at risk. Outbreaks in fragile and conflict-affected regions like Sudan highlight the persistent challenges and the need for sustained funding, access, and political commitment to finally achieve a polio-free world. The timely launch of this campaign, coinciding with World Immunization Week 2026, reinforces Sudan's ongoing commitment to protecting its children through immunization, celebrating vaccines as vital tools for every generation. ## Call to Action for Parents and Caregivers The FMOH, WHO, and UNICEF strongly urge all parents and caregivers in the targeted areas to ensure their children receive the polio vaccine during this campaign. Multiple doses are not just beneficial but essential to fully protect children and effectively interrupt the transmission of the virus. By participating, families contribute not only to the health of their own children but also to the collective effort to create a polio-free Sudan and a healthier world.