Theresa Uwase was determined to protect her three-old daughter, Brenda, when a polio vaccination campaign was announced in Rubavu, on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu.
“I feel at peace knowing my daughter is vaccinated,” she says. The campaign came after neighboring countries like Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Tanzania reported cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).
Although no polio cases had been reported in Rwanda for over 30 years, health officials were determined to act quickly. The government, alongside the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, launched a nationwide immunization drive. Their goal? To protect every child under the age of seven, regardless of previous vaccinations.
The campaign reached impressive numbers. In two rounds, Rwanda administered over 5.6 million doses of the polio vaccine. The first round, held between July 24 and 28, 2023, saw 2.75 million vaccines distributed. A second round followed in September, with nearly 3 million doses given.
Vaccinators went door-to-door, ensuring that every eligible child received their dose. Pop-up sites were set up at markets, parks, health facilities, and schools. The results were encouraging: the campaign exceeded its target by reaching 106% in the first round and 99.7% in the second.
“Before the campaign, most people only knew the name of the disease,” says community health worker Marie Safi. “We went door-to-door to educate families about polio, the importance of the vaccine, and the dangers of the virus.”
A total of 14,424 community health workers took part in the campaign, supported by health centers and district hospitals. WHO and the Ministry of Health also ensured that 17,865 personnel were paid on time through a new digital payment platform.
“Community health workers were the backbone of this effort,” says Hassan Sibomana, Director of the Vaccine Programmes Unit at Rwanda Biomedical Centre. “They helped administer vaccines, followed up with children who missed doses, and monitored any side effects.”
The campaign’s success was also supported by WHO and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), who provided technical guidance. WHO worked closely with the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority to ensure the vaccine was safe and effective.
Dr. Marie Rosette Nahimana, a WHO epidemiologist, praised Rwanda’s proactive approach. “This campaign combined vaccination efforts with community education, showing the importance of both to protect children’s health,” she says.
Rwanda’s swift and successful action in the fight against polio has set an example for other countries in the region. The effort underscores the power of collaboration and the commitment to keeping children safe from preventable diseases.
