## Zambia Rallies for a Polio-Free Future with Final Vaccination Push The Government of Zambia is making a powerful push to safeguard its youngest citizens, embarking on the final phase of a crucial polio vaccination campaign. This widespread effort aims to reach approximately 3.9 million children under the age of five across six key provinces. Collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, UNICEF, and other key partners within the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), Zambia is demonstrating its unwavering commitment to protecting children from this preventable disease and fortifying its national health system. This vital immunization drive, scheduled from July 21st to 26th, 2026, marks the third and conclusive round in a series of sub-national immunization activities. These intensified campaigns were initiated as a direct response to the detection of poliovirus in environmental samples collected earlier this year in Lusaka, signaling a potential threat that the nation swiftly moved to address. ## Understanding Polio: A Persistent Global Health Challenge Polio, short for poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. It primarily affects young children and can lead to irreversible paralysis, especially in the legs, and in some severe cases, even death, by paralyzing the muscles used for breathing. The virus spreads easily from person to person, mainly through the fecal-oral route, often in environments with poor sanitation or contaminated water. A single infected individual can quickly spread the virus within a community, making widespread vaccination absolutely essential to prevent outbreaks. While largely eradicated in many parts of the world, polio remains a global health concern in endemic countries and regions where immunity levels are low, allowing the virus to resurface. The oral polio vaccine (OPV), which is being administered in Zambia's campaign, is a highly effective tool in preventing the disease and stopping its transmission. It works by stimulating the body's immune system to produce antibodies, providing protection against future infection. The strategy of multiple vaccination rounds is crucial because it ensures that all children, including those who might have missed earlier doses or whose immune response was not fully robust, receive comprehensive protection, building strong community-wide immunity. ## Boosting Health Infrastructure: Zambia's Solar-Powered Vaccine Storage Beyond the immediate vaccination efforts, Zambia is also investing in the long-term resilience of its health infrastructure. A significant milestone accompanying the launch of this third polio round was the inauguration of the solarized National Vaccine Store. This state-of-the-art facility represents a major leap forward in enhancing the country's vaccine cold chain and overall immunization system. With support from UNICEF under the Africa CDC Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative, a powerful 100-kW solar photovoltaic system has been installed. This innovative solution provides a reliable and sustainable power source for Zambia’s primary vaccine storage facility. This is critical for maintaining vaccine potency, as many vaccines, including the polio vaccine, require precise temperature control from manufacture to administration. The solar power minimizes the risk of spoilage due to power outages, a common challenge in many regions, and ensures an uninterrupted storage environment. Furthermore, this eco-friendly initiative is expected to generate impressive annual power cost savings of approximately US$48,000, underscoring Zambia's dedication to building efficient, sustainable, and resilient health systems. ## Unprecedented Reach and Strong Community Support The previous two rounds of the vaccination campaign, carried out in April and June 2026, demonstrated remarkable success and extensive reach. These efforts spanned six provinces, 71 districts, and involved 1,985 health facilities. The campaigns were powered by the dedication of 7,830 vaccination teams and 8,006 social mobilizers and supervisors who worked tirelessly to ensure children in even the most remote areas were reached. Round 1 achieved an administrative coverage of 102 percent, reaching 3,841,940 children against a target of 3,759,057. Round 2 surpassed this, reaching 3,979,228 children against a target of 3,845,667, with coverage increasing to 103 percent. Importantly, the proportion of ‘zero-dose’ children—those who had not received any previous vaccinations—significantly declined from 1.5 percent to 0.55 percent, reflecting the high quality and effectiveness of the outreach. These encouraging figures highlight the sustained commitment of health workers, community volunteers, and families who collectively ensured the wide participation of children. ## The Power of Partnership and Persistent Action Addressing the launch, Mr. Patrick Kangwa, Secretary to the Cabinet, emphasized that Zambia’s success in protecting its children against polio hinges on continued collaboration. He highlighted the crucial roles played by the government, cooperating partners, health workers, community leaders, and caregivers. He stressed that while previous rounds yielded positive results, ongoing vigilance is paramount to completely halt poliovirus transmission. “This final round is a critical step to ensure that every child is fully protected, and we call on all caregivers to take advantage of this opportunity to close the last remaining immunity gaps,” he stated. Dr. Clement Peter Lasuba, WHO Representative in Zambia, reiterated the importance of persistence in outbreak responses. He noted that “Each round builds on the previous one, increasing immunity and reducing the risk of transmission. WHO continues to work closely with the Government and partners to ensure that vaccination reaches every eligible child without exception.” This collaborative spirit is foundational to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which provides critical technical and financial support, with generous contributions from entities like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSRelief) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). During this concluding phase, vaccination teams will continue their comprehensive outreach, conducting door-to-door visits and setting up vaccination points in schools, markets, churches, and health facilities. All children under five years old will be offered the oral polio vaccine, even if they have received previous doses, ensuring maximum protection and eliminating any remaining immunity gaps. ## Beyond Campaigns: The Enduring Importance of Routine Immunization While focused campaigns are vital for emergency responses to outbreaks, their effectiveness is greatly enhanced when backed by robust routine immunization programs. Saja Farooq Abdullah, UNICEF Zambia Representative, underlined this point, stating that “While these rounds are essential to stop poliovirus transmission, lasting protection depends on strong routine immunization systems that continue well beyond the campaign period.” She stressed the critical role of caregivers in sustaining these gains by ensuring children receive all essential vaccinations provided through regular health services. Zambia's multi-faceted approach – combining targeted mass vaccination campaigns with strategic investments in cold chain infrastructure and a focus on community engagement – demonstrates a holistic commitment to public health. These efforts are not only crucial for eradicating polio but also serve as a blueprint for strengthening overall health systems, ensuring a healthier future for all children.