A four-day campaign is underway to reach as many children as possible. Unvaccinated children are the primary targets of the polio vaccination campaign, which is taking place from this Monday until August 14 in the Androy, Anosy, Atsimo-Andrefana, Atsimo-Atsinanana, and Ihorombe regions. This campaign follows the confirmation of six new cases recorded this year in southern Madagascar.
For this first campaign of 2026, more than 1,173,000 children aged 0 to 59 months from the five southern regions are involved. The campaign covers 25 districts, mobilizing 601 Basic Health Centers (CSB), over 6,800 fokontany, and 2,028 teams. The goal is to catch up with children who have not yet received the necessary vaccine doses.
This campaign comes in a context marked by the confirmation of six polio cases in the South. “Even a single unvaccinated child represents a threat to the Nation,” warns Dr. Paubert Tsivahiny, Director of the Expanded Program on Immunization at the Ministry of Public Health. The six cases were reported in Betioky Atsimo (three cases), Toliara-II (one case), and Sakaraha (two cases).
In Betioky Atsimo, the first case declared on May 20 involved an 18-month-old boy who had not been vaccinated. Response activities were immediately initiated upon suspicion of the case, particularly through awareness-raising and vaccination in the affected areas.
Preparations for the campaign began several days before the launch. The Ministry of Public Health, through its regional branches, proceeded with the transport and distribution of vaccines, health supplies, and management tools to the relevant CSBs. Supervision operations also made it possible to evaluate team readiness and correct any coordination difficulties.
For the next four days, medical teams will mobilize to ensure the vaccination campaign, particularly on-site. Community health workers will visit families, including door-to-door visits. The Ministry urges parents to have their children vaccinated to prevent polio and its long-term effects on victims.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-11 07:38:39 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://2424.mg/sante-publique-pres-de-12-million-denfants-de-cinq-regions-du-sud-cibles-par-la-campagne-de-vaccination-de-masse-contre-la-poliomyelite-apres-confirmation-de-six-cas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sante-publique-pres-de-12-million-denfants-de-cinq-regions-du-sud-cibles-par-la-campagne-de-vaccination-de-masse-contre-la-poliomyelite-apres-confirmation-de-six-cas