The Rwandan government conducted a national vaccination campaign on Thursday to protect children under the age of one from polio, celebrating over three decades without a single recorded case of the disease.
The campaign, held as part of World Polio Day activities, aimed to reinforce Rwanda’s commitment to remaining polio-free despite global concerns over potential outbreaks.
Under the theme “One Day, One Focus: Ending Polio,” the event in Gihara Health Center, in the Runda Sector, Kamonyi District, included an awareness campaign to highlight the importance of continued vigilance against polio and the critical role of vaccination in safeguarding future generations.
Hassan Sibomana, Director of the Vaccine Programmes Unit at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), emphasized the importance of sustained vaccination efforts, warning that stopping vaccinations could expose the country to new risks.
He noted that globalization and cross-border movement have increased vulnerability, as seen with the global spread of diseases like COVID-19.
“Children who have not received any vaccine are at risk of contracting polio, creating a gap that could allow diseases to emerge,” Sibomana stated.
“The government has made every effort to ensure that all Rwandan residents receive necessary vaccinations. With the shift to digital systems, parents now receive instant notifications after their child’s vaccination.”
Rwanda has maintained a high vaccination coverage, with approximately 96 percent of children receiving all the required childhood vaccines, according to Sibomana.
However, he stressed that complacency could reverse progress, given that polio still lingers in parts of the world, particularly in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and outbreaks of vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV2) continue to occur in areas with low vaccination rates.
World Polio Day, observed globally on October 24, offers a chance to honor the dedication of healthcare workers, volunteers, and global health partners who are instrumental in the ongoing fight against polio.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), while the African region was declared free of indigenous wild poliovirus in August 2020, there is still an urgent need to control the spread of variant type 2 poliovirus (cVDPV2), with 290 cases reported across 23 African countries this year alone.
Through continued vigilance and commitment, Rwanda aims to set an example for other nations in achieving a polio-free future for all children.