Angola Launches National Campaign to Vaccinate More Than 9 Million Children Against Polio

The national polio vaccination campaign was officially launched today in the municipality of Belas, an initiative aimed at protecting more than 9 Millon children under the age of 5 across the country.

The campaign runs from March 26 to 28, 2026, and mobilizes vaccination teams across the country with the goal of interrupting the transmission of polio in Angola.

Polio is a highly infectious disease that can cause permanent paralysis, primarily affecting children under 5 years of age. Despite the progress made, the virus continues to circulate in some areas of the country and in neighboring countries, such as Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, increasing the risk of new cases.

During the launch, health authorities reinforced the need for collective action. "The current situation demands a rapid, coordinated and effective response from all of us," said the Secretary of State for Public Health, Dr Carlos Alberto Pinto de Sousa.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also commended Angola's continued efforts to control polio. "Angola has already demonstrated its capacity and determination to control polio. With sustained commitment, the country can interrupt transmission and protect every child," said Dr Indrajit Hazarika, WHO Representative in Angola.

The campaign involves national and local authorities, health professionals, development partners, and communities in a coordinated effort to reach all eligible children. Over the course of 3 days, vaccination teams will be present in communities, conducting door-to-door visits and operating at fixed sites to ensure that all children under the age of 5 receive the two drops of the oral polio vaccine.

WHO, in collaboration with UNICEF and all partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), continues to support the Government of Angola in strengthening epidemiological surveillance, expanding access to vaccination, and mobilizing communities.

Eliminating polio is a goal within Angola's reach, but it depends on a collective commitment. Protecting every child means protecting the country's future.