Addis Ababa, 24 October 2024 - Ethiopia is closer than ever to become polio free. Initiatives by the Government, development partners and frontline health workers have made significant strides. However, challenges still remain.
Ethiopia is at a high risk of polio cases importation due to recent circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) reported in neighbouring countries. With 65 cVPDV2 cases reported between 2019-2022 and 14 cVPDV2 cases in 2024, the country is racing against time to vaccinate children faster than the polio virus can spread.
To reach polio free status again, there is a need to see rapid and robust responses to polio outbreaks. We need to reinforce routine immunization programmes and make them accessible to every child. We also need to invest more in health systems to make them more resilient and integrated. Polio is a highly infectious and debilitating disease - life-altering for children and their families but we can prevent it.
While we commemorate world polio day, UNICEF urges government, non-governmental partners, and donors to:
* Prioritize vaccination of all children against polio.
* Strengthen immunization systems to ensure all children receive essential, lifesaving vaccines.
* Protect humanitarian and healthcare workers delivering vaccines.
* Provide critical resources to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to quickly halt outbreaks and ensure children are vaccinated.
* Elevate polio eradication on political agendas at all levels, prioritizing innovative solutions and coordinated actions to enhance immunization campaign quality. With life-saving vaccines, commitment and urgent action from governments and partners, it will be possible to see a polio-free Ethiopia.
For more information please contact:
UNICEF: Adam Sahilu, Communication Consultant, UNICEF Ethiopia, asahilu@unicef.org, +251 980484516