More than 1.3 million children under the age of 10 in Dar es Salaam are set to receive polio vaccine drops in a campaign aimed at strengthening immunity and preventing the spread of the virus.
The campaign, being conducted by the Dar es Salaam Regional Government in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, will be implemented in two phases.
The first phase will run from August 27 to 30, 2026, while the second phase is scheduled for September 29 to October 2, 2026.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ training session held at the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner’s Office yesterday, Ilala District Commissioner Edward Mpogolo, who represented Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila, said the campaign targets 1,337,000 children across the region.
He urged parents and guardians to ensure their children receive the vaccine, stressing that the success of the campaign would depend on cooperation between health authorities and the community.
“We are calling on parents, guardians, religious leaders, teachers and the entire community to support this campaign so that every eligible child is reached,” Mr Mpogolo said.
He said the campaign was designed to strengthen immunity among children under 10, prevent transmission of the polio virus and reach children who may not have received all the recommended doses.
The vaccination teams will conduct outreach activities in areas where children and communities gather, including schools, markets and places of worship.
Dar es Salaam Regional Medical Officer Dr Mohamed Mang’una said preparations were underway to ensure comprehensive coverage across the region.
He said health authorities would reach approximately 3,675 primary schools, 2,651 pre-primary schools, 344 health facilities and 3,274 places of worship during the campaign.
“The objective is to ensure that every child under the age of 10 is reached and protected,” Dr Mang’una said.
Ubungo District Commissioner Albert Msando, Kigamboni District Commissioner Mikaya Dalmia and Dar es Salaam Regional Council of Elders Chairman Ramadhan Matimbwa also pledged their support for the campaign.
They urged parents and guardians to cooperate with vaccination teams and ensure that children receive the polio drops during the two phases.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that mainly affects children and can cause permanent paralysis. Vaccination remains the most effective way of preventing infection and limiting transmission.
