Health authorities in Bulawayo say they are intensifying preparations for the second phase of the mass polio vaccination campaign after achieving 98% coverage in the first round.
Figures from the Novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2) campaign, conducted from 20 to 23 April 2026, show that 66 618 children under the age of five were vaccinated against a target of 67 901 across the province.
Campaign performance data indicates that Emakhandeni district recorded 98% coverage, vaccinating 27 414 children against a target of 28,106. Nkulumane achieved 88%, reaching 17 851 children out of a target of 20,262. Northern Suburbs exceeded its target, recording 109% coverage after vaccinating 21 353 children against a target of 19 535.
All districts achieved 100% completeness and timeliness in reporting during the campaign period.
Several health facilities surpassed their targets. Princess Margaret Rose recorded 125% coverage, Tshabalala 114%, Cowdray Park 110% and Emganwini 109%. However, some facilities fell short, including Dr Shennan Clinic, which recorded 51% coverage.
The city’s Director of Health Services, Dr Edwin Sibanda-Mzingwane, said authorities were working to increase the number of vaccination teams after challenges encountered in the first phase.
“We hope to deploy more teams than in the previous round. The reopening of schools may also assist in reaching more children. Vaccine-hesitant groups are being engaged, as those encountered in the first round contributed to lower coverage in some areas,” he said.
Dr Sibanda-Mzingwane urged parents to have confidence in immunisation programmes, saying the decline in polio cases over the years demonstrates the effectiveness of vaccination.
“Polio vaccines, like others, are safe and effective, as evidenced by the reduction in polio cases in institutions such as Jairos Jiri. The vaccine works and is highly effective,” he said.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care previously acknowledged a shortage of vaccination teams during the first phase and expressed optimism that capacity would improve in the second round.
Zimbabwe is participating in a coordinated regional campaign alongside four neighbouring countries aimed at preventing the spread of the virus.
The ministry said the vaccination drive is being conducted in two phases, with the first round held from 20 to 23 April and the second scheduled for 2 to 5 June 2026. Both urban and rural areas are included in the campaign.