Somalia has initiated a nationwide vaccination campaign targeting over 3.1 million children under five to fight measles, polio, and pneumonia.
The World Health Organization (WHO), partnering with Somali federal and regional governments, launched the week-long drive to protect vulnerable communities from preventable deadly diseases.
The Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) is supporting this effort.
Despite no poliovirus detection since 2014 and Africa being declared polio-free in 2020, Somalia’s fragile health system, conflict, and climate crises pose ongoing threats.
Parts of Somalia are still considered high-risk for polio outbreaks.
In April, Somalia added pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) and rotavirus vaccines to its national program to combat pneumonia and diarrhoea.
This coordinated campaign marks a significant step in reducing childhood disease and mortality in Somalia.