Health Ministry intensifies fight against polio in children
Mpho Mokwape | Tuesday June 9, 2026 14:05
The four-day campaign, running from June 8 to 11, 2026, aims to ensure that every eligible child receives polio vaccine drops. Health authorities are conducting vaccinations through house-to-house visits and at selected vaccination sites across the country. The campaign forms part of Botswana's ongoing efforts to protect children from polio and maintain the country's polio-free status.
Parents and guardians have been urged to cooperate with vaccination teams and ensure that all eligible children are reached during the exercise. In a public announcement marking the start of the campaign, health authorities described the exercise as a nationwide effort involving all districts in Botswana.
'Today, June 8, 2026, marks the first day of the nationwide polio vaccination drive across all districts in Botswana,' the statement said.
The vaccination campaign targets all children under the age of five, including those who received their vaccine during the first round and those who may have missed the earlier exercise.
According to the announcement, vaccination teams will move from house to house to reach as many children as possible. Parents and guardians can also take their children to designated vaccination points during the campaign period. Health officials emphasised that every eligible child should receive the vaccine regardless of whether they participated in the first round.
'Make sure every eligible child (under five years) receives their polio drops,' the statement urged. The campaign seeks to close any immunity gaps among young children and strengthen protection against the highly infectious disease.
By targeting all eligible children, health authorities hope to ensure that no child remains vulnerable to polio. The announcement stressed the importance of inclusivity in the vaccination effort.
'No child should be left behind,' health authorities said.
Officials also highlighted the need to vaccinate children who participated in the first round, as well as those who missed it.
This approach is intended to increase overall protection among children and reduce the risk of transmission. The campaign comes as countries around the world continue efforts to eliminate polio through routine immunisation and supplementary vaccination activities. Health experts have long maintained that high vaccination coverage is critical to preventing outbreaks and protecting communities from the disease.
Polio is a viral disease that mainly affects young children. Whilst many infected individuals may show mild symptoms or none at all, the disease can lead to paralysis in severe cases. Vaccination remains the most effective method of preventing infection and stopping the spread of the virus.
Throughout the four-day campaign, health workers are expected to travel to homes, communities, and designated vaccination centres to reach eligible children. The nationwide exercise is being carried out simultaneously in urban centres, villages, and remote settlements.
Parents and guardians have been encouraged to make themselves available when vaccination teams visit their homes. Those who are unable to access house-to-house services are advised to visit one of the selected vaccination sites during the campaign period.
The campaign is also expected to support Botswana's broader public health goals by strengthening childhood immunisation coverage and protecting vulnerable populations from preventable diseases. As the vaccination drive gets underway, authorities are calling for public cooperation to ensure its success.
'Together, we can keep Botswana polio-free,' the statement said.
The nationwide campaign will continue until June 11, with health teams working across all districts to reach every eligible child and strengthen protection against polio nationwide.