How partners are helping Zim respond to polio crisis
ZIMBABWE last reported a case of indigenous wild polio virus (WPV) in 1986 and was certified polio free in 2005.
Following the detection of WPV1 in Mozambique and Malawi, in 2022, Zimbabwe also undertook the multi-country supplementary immunisation activities (SIAs) with bOPV2 and managed to conduct four rounds of SIA.
In 2023, Zimbabwe detected 17 circulating vaccine derived polio virus type 2 (cVDPV2) from environmental samples in Harare since October 2023.
The samples were from the four polio environmental surveillance sites in Harare.
Two newly confirmed AFP cases (samples from contacts) have been reported this week (cumulative 23) with a NPAFP rate at 1,3% children under 15 years.
The cVDPV2 outbreak was declared a public health emergency by the Minister of Health and Childcare in October 2023.
Polio outbreak response activities commenced with plans to conduct two SIAs using novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) starting February 20, 2024.
The risk of poliovirus spreading within the country and neighbouring countries remains high.
Special considerations need to be made in the polio outbreak response for special populations who include vaccine-hesitant religious groups who are densely populated in Manicaland (Buhera, Mutasa and Mutare districts), populations in refugee camps (Tongogara in Manicaland and Waterfalls transit camp in Harare), populations along borders, crossborder traders, artisanal miners, and populations in emerging peri-urban settlements in Harare.
Funding overview and partnerships
To respond to the outbreak, United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) Zimbabwe has received funding support from the German Development Ministry (BMZ) and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The funding from BMZ will support the surge staff for the sixmonth period between January and June 2024, while the BMFG funding will support the vaccination campaign scheduled for February and March 2024.
Unicef’s response Co-ordination and planning
⬤Strong leadership and support by the Health and Child Care ministry through the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC).
⬤Unicef participates in the Monday and Thursday EOC co-ordination meetings conducted to review daily progress of the preparedness dashboard, including feedback to the provinces for the identified issues.
⬤Week⬤y Unicef’s internal meetings under the leadership of representative (every Monday) and polio team meetings (every Tuesday and Thursday).
⬤Through Health and Child Care ministry leadership, biweekly situational reports are developed and shared with health partners, stakeholders and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative team.
⬤Week⬤y Unicef and World Health Organisation meetings to discuss the co-ordination, planning and implementation concerns and joint advocacy with the Health and Child Care ministry.
⬤Nationa⬤ level supervisors’ deployment plan and orientation for 85 members was completed to support the pre-intra-post campaign supportive supervision.
Human resources and surge support
⬤Unicef has supported the Health and Child Care ministry with additional surge staff to support the outbreak response through the recruitment of seven local and three international surge staff to support co-ordination, social behaviour change and vaccine management.
Vaccine management and logistics
⬤A total of 10 517 500 doses of the vaccines for the two rounds were received in country on January 29, 2024 (Expiry date 14/08/2025) and distribution of vaccines along with other campaign materials and supplies (tally sheets, plastic and information, education and communication materials, etc) to the provinces according to the distribution plan was started last week.
The Unicef team will continue to follow up ongoing monitoring of the proper distribution of vaccines and supplies from districts to health facilities.
⬤Unicef procured 1 466 additional vaccine carriers to support the outbreak response which was received by the Health and Child Care ministry last week and will be distributed largely to Harare province.