Angola’s health ministry is set to vaccinate 11 million children across the country in a major effort to combat poliomyelitis, measles, and yellow fever, following a challenging year for public health services.
Angola’s health ministry plans to vaccinate about 11 million children in a nationwide drive from 8 to 12 October, as the country steps up efforts to curb poliomyelitis, measles and yellow fever. The campaign will combine four interventions: the novel oral polio vaccine type 2, injectable polio vaccine, measles-rubella vaccine and yellow fever vaccine, with officials aiming for 95% coverage in the target municipalities.
According to the ministry, the operation will deploy more than 18,000 teams across the country, using house-to-house visits alongside fixed and mobile vaccination posts. The largest share of the effort will focus on polio and measles-rubella immunisation, while yellow fever vaccination will be concentrated in Luanda and Icolo e Bengo. Health workers are also expected to reach children under nine years old, in line with the campaign’s central message.
The push comes after a difficult year for Angola’s public health services. The World Health Organisation said in its July outbreak bulletin that the country had recorded cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, while also reporting yellow fever cases. The same period saw a substantial measles burden, with the ministry reporting nearly 2,000 confirmed cases across 21 provinces. Against that backdrop, officials are treating the October campaign as both a containment measure and a broader attempt to close immunity gaps in vulnerable communities.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
