Malawi Launches Polio Vaccination Campaign Following New Case

Blantyre, Malawi – Approximately 1.3 million children in Malawi have been vaccinated against polio in a four-day campaign responding to a newly detected case in late January 2026. This marks the first case of polio in Malawi since 2022, when a strain genetically linked to an outbreak in Pakistan was identified WHO.

Swift Response with Novel Vaccine

The vaccination campaign utilized the novel oral poliomyelitis vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), following recommendations from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) GPEI. Around 97% of targeted children were reached across eight districts in Malawi’s Southern Region. Plans are in place to vaccinate an additional 42,000 children who were not reached during the initial phase.

High Coverage Achieved in Blantyre

Blantyre District demonstrated particularly high coverage, administering doses to 109% of its target population, indicating efficient local health worker dedication World Today Journal.

Importance of Polio Vaccination

Dr. Charles Chilambula, Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, emphasized the critical importance of vaccination, stating, “Polio is a debilitating disease that can leave one with lifetime disability and sometimes death. But the good news is that it’s preventable through vaccination, good personal hygiene and sanitation.” WHO

Rapid Vaccine Deployment

Malawi received 1.7 million doses of the nOPV2 vaccine from the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision on February 10, 2026, and swiftly distributed them to vaccination sites within 12 hours WHO. Two additional national vaccination rounds are planned for later in the year.

Community Engagement Key to Success

The success of the campaign was significantly bolstered by community involvement. Social mobilizers, health workers, religious leaders, and traditional authorities provided accurate information about the vaccine, addressed misinformation, and reassured community members. Out of 84 households initially hesitant to vaccinate, 45 ultimately accepted following targeted engagement efforts WHO.

Outbreak Linked to Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus

The current outbreak is linked to circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, identified through environmental surveillance and in an unvaccinated 7-year-old child WHO. These strains can emerge in areas with insufficient vaccination coverage and spread through contaminated water or food.

Ongoing Efforts to Eradicate Polio

Health authorities are continuing efforts to halt all circulation of the virus and protect children long-term. The WHO supported the Ministry of Health in logistics, training of vaccinators, and real-time data monitoring. A post-campaign evaluation is underway to verify coverage thresholds have been met WHO.