The recent national polio vaccination campaign successfully reached approximately 790,000 children across the country, marking a significant step in the ongoing effort to eradicate the disease.

The campaign aimed to achieve coverage of 95 percent or higher.

Preliminary validated data indicate that 86 percent of the targeted population was vaccinated nationwide over the four-day period. Officials are still consolidating figures from all regions to finalize the results.

Incident Manager for the Polio Response, Nguundja Uamburu, noted that several regions performed exceptionally well, including Zambezi, Kavango West, Omusati, Kavango East, and Ohangwena. Conversely, regions such as Khomas and Zero Go recorded lower vaccination rates.

The campaign faced challenges, notably flooding in some areas, which affected outreach efforts.

Despite this, community response was largely positive.

Uamburu confirmed that no human cases of polio have been reported to date. However, poliovirus has been detected in sewage samples, indicating the virus is present in the environment but has not yet resulted in confirmed infections.

Officials plan to continue vaccination activities, with a focus on regions with lower coverage. Enhanced community engagement and awareness campaigns will be implemented to improve participation in these areas.

The ongoing efforts underscore the commitment to safeguarding public health and preventing the spread of polio nationwide.