Summary This article discusses the success story of overcoming misinformation and engaging communities in Zimbabwe's polio vaccination campaign through strategic Social and Behavior Change (SBC) interventions. Quick Links Background Combating Misinformation Faith-Based Support Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy Impact and Success Success Story – Overcoming Misinformation and Engaging Communities in Zimbabwe's Polio Vaccination Campaign In 2023, Zimbabwe faced a critical public health emergency with the outbreak of circulating vaccine-derived polio virus type 2 (cVDPV2), prompting the Ministry of
Summary This article discusses the success story of overcoming challenges with community empowerment in Zimbabwe, focusing on ensuring all children are vaccinated through innovative Social and Behavior Change (SBC) strategies. Quick Links Background Case Study: Beitbridge Case Study: Bulawayo Conclusion Success Story – Overcoming Challenges with Community Empowerment: Bridging the Gap to Ensure All Children are Vaccinated in Zimbabwe In 2023, the resurgence of circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus 2 (cVDPV2) in Harare marked a critical juncture for public health in Zimbabwe. The Ministry of
Summary This article discusses community-based strategies for managing polio misinformation in South Sudan, highlighting the challenges, strategies, and results of these efforts. Quick Links Background Challenges Strategies Results Community-Based Strategies for Managing Polio Misinformation in South Sudan In the heart of South Sudan, amidst ongoing health challenges, lies a formidable effort to eradicate polio, revitalized by innovative community engagement strategies. The Integrated Community Mobiliser Network (ICMN), backed by UNICEF's Social Behavior Change initiatives, has played a
Summary This article discusses the strategic social and behavior change initiatives in Zimbabwe's polio vaccination efforts, highlighting the challenges, strategies, and results of these efforts. Quick Links Background Challenges Strategies Results Strategic Social and Behavior Change Initiatives in Zimbabwe's Polio Vaccination Efforts In 2023, Zimbabwe grappled with a significant public health crisis following the detection of circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus 2 (cVDPV2) from three out of five Polio Environmental Surveillance sites in Harare. This discovery was particularly concerning
Going the extra mile to stop poliovirus spread It’s day one of the polio vaccination campaign in Sudan’s Red Sea State, where poliovirus was detected in sewage samples earlier in 2024. At the crack of dawn, vaccinators set off with their vaccine carriers filled with ice packs and vials of oral polio vaccine and vitamin A to reach children in their communities. Their goal: vaccinate every child aged under 5 years in the state over the 4 days of the campaign. Since the conflict in Sudan began, in April 2023, health infrastructure and immunization services have been disrupted. Hundreds of
In March 2022, Malawi responded to its first wild poliovirus outbreak in 30 years, by launching a nationwide vaccination campaign aiming to vaccinate over 2.9 million children in the country under the age of five. In the past two years, UNICEF staff have been participating in the polio response at different levels. “Aside from professional duties, I had a personal attachment to the campaign,” said Patrick Chakholoma, Education Officer, UNICEF Malawi. “I remembered the challenges I faced as a child, growing up in the Nsanje district – one of Malawi's poorest, flood and drought-prone districts
For me, the fight against polio in Malawi isn't just professional—it's profoundly personal. As a mother of three young children, I don't just advocate for vaccinations; I ensure my own children are protected against polio with every necessary dose. Yet, my role extends far beyond my household. At UNICEF Malawi, I contribute technical expertise to the government's social mobilization plans and supervise intense week-long vaccination campaigns across the nation, having participated in all five rounds so far. In the field, each interaction with children and their caregivers underscores the vital
In 2023, Zimbabwe faced a critical public health emergency with the outbreak of circulating vaccine-derived polio virus type 2 (cVDPV2), prompting the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) to respond decisively. The government implemented two rounds of vaccinations with the novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) starting in early 2024, but the campaign faced significant obstacles in misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. Combating Misinformation Through Strategic Media Engagement At the onset of the vaccination campaign, misleading information rapidly spread across social media platforms
In 2023, Zimbabwe grappled with a significant public health crisis following the detection of circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus 2 (cVDPV2) from three out of five Polio Environmental Surveillance sites in Harare. This discovery was particularly concerning as it coincided with a resurgence of other vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles and diphtheria, alongside a cholera outbreak, further straining the public health infrastructure. In response, on October 26, 2023, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) declared the cVDPV2 outbreak a Public Health Emergency of
Explore Issue 18 of the Global Polio SBC Newsletter, March 2024. This issue shines a light on the brave women leading the fight against polio and brings updates from across the globe, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, and several African nations. Highlights include unique vaccination campaigns, personal stories from polio survivors who are now advocates, and efforts to tackle misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. Check out the full newsletter for inspiring stories and valuable insights on eradicating polio.
