Horn of Africa Unites to End Persistent Polio Outbreaks

After years of variant poliovirus outbreaks driven by low immunity and weak coordination, countries in the Horn of Africa are intensifying efforts to eradicate polio. At the May 2025 World Health Assembly, health ministers pledged stronger collaboration through a new inter-ministerial body to enhance surveillance, synchronize vaccination campaigns, and improve cross-border coordination. A major milestone was achieved as over 18 million children in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia were vaccinated during a coordinated campaign from February to April 2025. Ethiopia vaccinated over 15 million children, Kenya nearly 1 million, and Somalia reached 2.4 million children across 76 districts. Djibouti responded swiftly to new detections, vaccinating over 155,000 children. These joint efforts mark renewed momentum toward regional polio eradication.