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Epidemics

Zimbabwe on Polio and Measles Alert After Detection in Neighbouring Countries

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Zimbabwe is under threat from polio and measles outbreaks, with the World Health Organization (WHO) warning of possible renewed spread in Africa. The detection of vaccine-preventable diseases in neighbouring countries has heightened concerns, particularly after recent outbreaks in Malawi. To prevent the spread, the WHO has launched a $15.7 million campaign to vaccinate all children under 5 in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This is in response to the significant disruptions to vaccination services caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has left millions of children unprotected against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WHO has launched a $15.7 million campaign to vaccinate all children under 5 in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to prevent polio and measles outbreaks.
  • The campaign will involve over 70,000 vaccinators going door-to-door to administer the oral polio vaccine.
  • The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a significant disruption in vaccination services, resulting in 23 million children missing out on all basic childhood vaccines in 2020, the highest number since 2009.
  • Specifically, in 2020, 3.7 million more children missed out on basic childhood vaccines compared to 2019.
  • Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro has emphasized the importance of vaccination, saying that the government is committed to ensuring no child is left behind.
  • Dr Mangwiro has also urged the public to get vaccinated against Covid-19, citing the rising cases in other countries as a reason to remain vigilant.
  • The Zimbabwean government has made provisions to detect and respond to polio and measles outbreaks, although no cases have been recorded in the country.

Statistics:

  • 70,000 vaccinators involved in the WHO's campaign to prevent polio and measles outbreaks.
  • $15.7 million funding for the WHO's campaign to vaccinate all children under 5 in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
  • 23 million children missed out on all basic childhood vaccines in 2020.
  • 3.7 million more children missed out on basic childhood vaccines in 2020 compared to 2019.

Sources:

  • World Health Organization
  • Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro
  • Senior Health Reporter Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu

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