Kunene: More than 39,300 children under the age of 10 are being targeted in a major polio vaccination campaign set to take place across the Kunene Region. Jason Ndahepele, Chief Health Programme Officer for the Kunene Region, told Nampa on Friday that the campaign will be conducted in two rounds, with the first scheduled for 26 to 29 January 2026, and the second for 24 to 27 February 2026. The initiative will cover all three health districts in the region to ensure no child is left behind.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the Opuwo District has the highest target, with 23,393 children expected to be vaccinated, followed by the Outjo District with 10,049 children, and the Khorixas District with 5,924 children. Ndahepele explained that every child under 10 years old is expected to receive two drops of the oral polio vaccine in each round, even if they are due for their routine immunisation on the same day. 'These are different oral polio drops and they can be taken together. There are no contraindications,' he said. He added that completing both rounds is critical to help children develop full immunity against polio and other preventable diseases.
To ensure wide coverage, the Ministry of Health and Social Services has made government vehicles available and also procured services from community vehicle owners to support transportation. Mobile and outreach teams will be deployed to reach children in remote and hard-to-access areas. Ndahepele said freezers for ice packs, insulated cold boxes, and vaccine carriers have been secured to maintain the recommended temperatures during transportation and storage.
Community mobilisation efforts are being led by health facility staff, community health assistants, traditional leaders, regional councils, church leaders, and schools, who are encouraging parents and guardians to take their children to the nearest vaccination points. Ndahepele said preparations are progressing well, with vaccines already received, vehicles registered, and staff trained, expressing confidence that the campaign will be successfully implemented across the region.