“I got to know about the programme from my child when she got back from school and I provided consent," says Ropafadzo Shamuyarira, a 23-year-old mother of two from Mt Pleasant, whose children were vaccinated in Zimbabwe’s most recent polio vaccination campaign. 

Her story highlights how far-reaching the campaign’s impact has been, from the children in schools to their families at home. As a mother who supports vaccination, Ropafadzo’s experience also sheds light on the importance of continued efforts to communicate the benefits of immunization. 

Zimbabwe concluded another successful round of its national polio vaccination campaign on 7 February 2025, reaching 4,858,596 children under the age of 10 using the nOPV2. This campaign, which ran alongside several crucial health initiatives, marks a major step forward in the country's efforts to eradicate polio and improve overall child health. The campaign was implemented through the school-based approach, door to door outreach with services also provided at static sites such as rural health centres, clinics and hospitals.

The campaign was launched after the detection of circulating poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in September 2023. Through environmental surveillance, the virus was traced to multiple locations, particularly in Harare, sparking a swift and comprehensive response. A single reported case of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) further highlighted the need for urgent action. While most of the cases (25) were identified through environmental sampling, the campaign also focused on active case finding, demonstrating the strength of Zimbabwe’s surveillance system. With the last confirmed isolate reported in May 2024 and no new detections in the nine months since, there is optimism that the circulation of the virus has been contained. 

Beyond polio vaccination, this campaign served as a critical platform for other essential health activities, integrating immunization activities with other EPI interventions. One key focus was identifying and tracking zero-dose children—those who have missed routine vaccinations, especially in vaccine-hesitant communities. An online tracking system was introduced to monitor these children, their locations, and the reasons for vaccine refusal. Health Promotion Officers engaged with these communities, raising awareness about the importance of both polio and routine immunization. As a result, many children received the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), and the hope is that this momentum will improve routine immunization coverage going forward. The campaign also provided an opportunity to strengthen child health records. Children under five who lacked Child Health Cards were issued replacements, with their nOPV2 doses recorded, improving Zimbabwe's overall health data system for future tracking and follow-up.

A strong social mobilization and communication strategy was essential to the campaign’s success. Radio was the most popular channel for disseminating information but reaching all segments of the population proved challenging. Sr. Forichi from Parirenyatwa Hospital suggested that more diverse communication materials, such as posters on public transport and the use of mobile public address systems, could enhance outreach efforts. There was also recognition that the campaign’s social media presence could be improved to reach a wider audience.

Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, expressed his satisfaction with the results of the campaign, saying, “This successful vaccination effort is a testament to the tireless work of our health workers, the dedication of our communities, and the strong partnerships with global organizations. We are committed to eliminating polio in Zimbabwe, and this campaign brings us one step closer to that goal.”

“The successful completion of this polio vaccination campaign is a critical milestone in the fight against polio. WHO continues to support Zimbabwe’s efforts to protect every child from preventable diseases, and we applaud the government’s proactive approach in containing the virus and improving child health,” added Dr. Desta Tiruneh, WHO Representative to Zimbabwe