Scheduled from September 18 to 21, 2020, this immunization initiative aims to protect over two million children under the age of five within the Plateau Central, Centre, Centre-Nord, Centre-Ouest, Centre-Sud, Est, and Centre-Est regions. This information was shared by UNICEF in a recent press statement. 

The emergence of a poliovirus case in January within the Ouargaye health district prompted an immediate localized vaccination effort in the Centre-Est region. However, the global COVID-19 pandemic subsequently disrupted the planned response activities. 

James Mugaju, the Deputy Representative for UNICEF in Burkina Faso, elaborated, “The COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary halt in vaccination campaigns. This interruption resulted in a momentary discontinuity of essential immunization services and an observed rise in cases of diseases with epidemic potential, particularly polio.”

By June, the nation’s disease surveillance system recorded nine additional polio cases, alongside more than 600 instances of acute flaccid paralysis, a condition that can often be attributed to polio infection. 

Over 5,000 Health Professionals to Conduct Door-to-Door Immunization

For this crucial initiative, UNICEF is instrumental in procuring and distributing over 2,290,000 vaccine doses, while also fostering community engagement. A dedicated team of more than 5,000 outreach workers and healthcare professionals will visit homes to identify, educate, and vaccinate every child aged 0 to 59 months. 

To ensure adherence to COVID-19 prevention protocols during the door-to-door visits, vaccinators have been supplied with 39,500 masks and over 26,500 bottles of hydroalcoholic gel.  

The Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Burkina Faso affirmed, “UNICEF and the WHO are deeply committed to the fight to eradicate the polio epidemic. We urge all stakeholders, including local authorities, community leaders, and parents, to provide their support and facilitate the efforts of the vaccination teams. Polio poses a severe threat to children’s health, and we must eliminate this disease from the country.”  

He further emphasized, “With healthcare access diminishing due to ongoing insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become more critical than ever to intensify our efforts to reach every child, ensuring they are vaccinated and immunized against all preventable diseases, including polio.” 

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is an extremely contagious viral infection primarily affecting young children. The virus spreads through contaminated water or food. Once it multiplies within the intestines, it then invades the nervous system. 

While Burkina Faso was certified free of wild poliovirus in 2015, it is currently listed among 15 African nations experiencing outbreaks of paralysis cases linked to other forms of the poliovirus. 

A follow-up vaccination campaign is slated for early October 2020, intending to broaden its reach to nine regions: Plateau Central, Centre, Centre-Nord, Centre-Ouest, Centre-Sud, Est, Centre-Est, Sahel, and Nord.