The Government of Tanzania has launched a subnational polio vaccination campaign in the Lake Zone aimed at protecting children and preserving the country’s polio-free status. The campaign targets more than 6.7 million children and was initiated after a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus was detected through environmental surveillance. This response reflects Tanzania’s strong commitment to preventing any resurgence of the disease and demonstrates the country’s readiness to act quickly to safeguard children’s health through its established immunization and disease surveillance systems.
Led by the Ministry of Health through the Immunization and Vaccine Development Programme, the campaign is focused on rapidly increasing immunity among children under the age of ten and stopping any possible transmission of the virus. It is being carried out across seven regions in the Lake Zone, namely Mwanza, Geita, Mara, Shinyanga, Tabora, Simiyu, and Singida. Health authorities have emphasized that the campaign is designed to ensure that every eligible child is reached, especially in areas considered at higher risk.
Tanzania’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Grace Magembe, said the health of children remains the government’s highest priority and described the campaign as a clear demonstration of the country’s determination to leave no child behind. She stressed that the effort is essential to ensuring Tanzania remains polio-free for future generations. Her remarks highlighted the government’s broader commitment to protecting child health through strong vaccination coverage and decisive public health leadership.
The current response builds on Tanzania’s long-term investments in disease surveillance, laboratory systems, and immunization delivery. After the poliovirus was detected, the government quickly activated a coordinated national response involving authorities at the national, regional, and district levels. This rapid mobilization reflects the strength of Tanzania’s decentralized health system and its capacity to respond effectively to emerging health threats before they spread widely.
To prepare for the campaign, the Ministry of Health and regional authorities implemented a range of important measures to ensure the vaccination drive would be comprehensive and effective. Rapid response teams were deployed to verify the detection, investigate cases, and assess local preparedness. Surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis and environmental poliovirus monitoring was strengthened, including increased sampling in high-risk districts. Vaccines and cold chain supplies were also pre-positioned to ensure uninterrupted availability throughout the campaign.
In addition, more than 20,000 vaccinators, supervisors, and social mobilizers were trained in vaccination methods, data management, and interpersonal communication. Authorities updated detailed microplans to ensure coverage of every settlement, including remote islands, grazing areas, and border crossings. Community health workers, local leaders, and faith-based institutions were mobilized to encourage families to participate and to counter misinformation. Independent monitoring systems were also put in place to quickly identify and address any gaps in coverage, reinforcing the goal that no child should be missed.
Tanzania is implementing the campaign in close collaboration with international and regional partners, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Gavi, Africa CDC, the Gates Foundation, and Rotary International. These organizations are supporting the government to ensure a coordinated and high-quality response. WHO in particular has contributed technical guidance, deployed surge staff, supported laboratory confirmation, strengthened surveillance, and trained district teams and independent monitors to help maintain strong implementation standards.
WHO Representative in Tanzania, Dr. Alex Gasasira, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the country’s efforts, describing the protection of Tanzania’s polio-free status as a national priority. He emphasized that WHO remains fully engaged alongside the government and partners to ensure high-quality vaccination, strong surveillance, and resilient primary health care systems. His remarks underscored the importance of reaching every child in every community to prevent any possible spread of the virus.
Community engagement is playing a central role in the campaign’s success. Tanzania is relying heavily on community health workers, local leaders, teachers, media outlets, and civil society organizations to raise awareness and encourage participation. Public mobilization efforts include local radio broadcasts, megaphone announcements, school outreach, and door-to-door communication to ensure parents and caregivers understand the importance of vaccinating their children and feel confident about participating in the campaign.
Although Tanzania has remained polio-free for many years, health officials have noted that the continued circulation of poliovirus in parts of Africa and other parts of the world means the country must remain vigilant. Strong surveillance, high population immunity, and rapid action remain critical to preventing outbreaks. The Ministry of Health has urged all parents and caregivers to ensure that every child under five receives the oral polio vaccine during the campaign, even if they have already been vaccinated before, since multiple doses offer the strongest protection against the disease.
