Response. The Ministry of Public Health had targeted 95% of 1,174,264 children aged 0 to 59 months for polio vaccination in five southern regions. Ultimately, 1,222,196 children received the vaccine during the mass vaccination campaign held from August 11 to 14 in the Anosy, Androy, Atsimo-Andrefana, and Ihorombe regions. The goal is to halt the spread of the virus, as Madagascar has recorded six cases of polio linked to the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1), including one death, since the beginning of 2026.
According to the report from the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) directorate within the Ministry of Public Health, 42,661 children who had never received a dose of OPV were vaccinated during this operation. The campaign is set to continue with two additional phases. The second campaign is scheduled for one month after the first. A third operation is to be integrated into the follow-up campaign against measles, which is programmed for October 2026.
The Ministry of Public Health plans to continue vaccination activities to strengthen children’s immunity and reduce the risk of poliovirus transmission.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-08 09:08:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.2424.mg/sante-publique-plus-de-12-million-denfants-vaccines-contre-la-poliomyelite-lors-de-la-campagne-de-vaccination-de-masse-menee-dans-cinq-regions-du-sud/