The Ministry of Health and Social Services has launched a national polio vaccination campaign to demonstrate its readiness to prevent the return of polio in the country.

The campaign is to strengthen preventive measures and to protect communities.

During the launch today, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Esperance Luvindao, administered the first doses to two children.

The vaccination campaign takes place from 26 to 29 January and again on 24 to 27 February across the country.

Luvindao has urged the public to ensure that all children between the ages of zero and ten are vaccinated against polio to maintain the country's status as a polio-free nation.

Namibia has been polio free since 2006.

The ministry deploys teams across the country and will be going door to door in villages to ensure that children are protected.