Addis Ababa. 13 November 2014 – The first round polio National Immunization Days (NID) in 2014 kicked off today in Addis Ababa in a ceremony held at Edget Betigil Kindergarten in Lideta Sub-City of Addis Ababa.  The launching ceremony, organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Addis Ababa City Health Bureau, was attended by the World Health Organization and polio partners. 

Honorable Dr Kebede Worku, State Minister of Health, noted the great progress in child survival in Ethiopia and in particular, polio eradication. Dr Kebede, however, cautioned that the country is at risk for wild polio virus (WPV), citing the ongoing outbreak in Somalia and recently confirmed vaccine-derived polio viruses in south Sudan and Uganda, with possibility of cross border transmission. He stressed the need for shared responsibility to ensure immunization of children “In order to save children from sickness, disability and death.”  Shared responsibility requires all involved – the government, partners, communities and families – to execute their duty to ensure children are immunized. Dr Kebede affirmed that “Ethiopia will win the fight against polio!” 

As he welcomed participants to the launching event, Ato Girma Ashenafi, Head of the Addis Ababa City Regional Health Bureau, called on communities to play an active role in the immunization of their children against wild polio virus.

Dr Fiona Braka, acting WHO Representative, urged all to “Remain vigilant in the fight to end polio,” with the reminder that “Since the launch of the global polio eradication effort 26 years ago, generations of children have grown up free from the threat of polio,” but that “the threat of outbreaks in Ethiopia prevails”.

Up until August 2013, when the first case of wild poliovirus was confirmed from the Somali Region, Ethiopia had been polio-free since 2008. With the commitment and leadership of the government and the concerted efforts of immunization partners, Ethiopia’s response to the crisis has been fast and aggressive. Since June 2013, 11 rounds of polio immunization campaigns have been conducted in addition to ongoing border vaccination at 45 permanent vaccination posts along the border with Somalia. Due to these aggressive efforts, the last case of WPV in Ethiopia was confirmed more than 10 months ago, in January 2014.

The leadership and efforts of the Government of Ethiopia to interrupt polio transmission is highly commended, as well as the contribution of donors and partners, including The Gates Foundation, USAID, CDC, Rotary, GAVI, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada (DFATD) and UNICEF.

The 12th polio immunization campaign (since the onset of the outbreak) in November is the first of two national rounds in 2014 that will target over 13 million children under five years of age.

For more information please contact

Dr Fiona Braka
Maternal and Child Health, and Nutrition
WHO Ethiopia
Email: brakaf [at] who.int ( brakaf[at]who[dot]int)
Tel: +251 911 200 765

Loza Mesfin Tesfaye
Communications
WHO Ethiopia
Email: tesfayel [at] who.int (tesfayel[at]who[dot]int)
Tel: +251 911 144 194

Photo:  WHO Ethiopia/ Yohannes Ababu