The Ministry of Health and Sanitation says the Fourth Round of the National Polio Vaccination Campaign, which started on 11th August and is expected to end tomorrow, 14th August 2026, is still in progress.
In a statement signed by Bestone Chisamile, Principal Secretary (Administration) for the Secretary for Health and Sanitation, the Ministry said the nationwide campaign aims to vaccinate 7,069,865 children below the age of 10 years, regardless of their previous vaccination status.
Vaccination services are being provided free of charge through door-to-door visits by trained health workers, at Government and CHAM health facilities, schools, and designated outreach vaccination sites.
Teams are operating daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Children vaccinated during the campaign are having their little finger marked with indelible ink to help monitor coverage.
The Ministry explained that the campaign forms part of Malawi’s ongoing response to the poliovirus outbreak.
While the previous three rounds successfully reached millions of children, the Ministry said additional rounds are necessary to strengthen immunity, reach children who may have been missed, and interrupt transmission of the virus.
“Every additional dose strengthens a child’s protection against poliovirus. We therefore urge all parents and caregivers to ensure that every child below the age of 10 years receives the oral polio vaccine during this campaign, even if the child has already been vaccinated,” said Chisamile.
The Ministry noted that polio is a highly infectious disease that mainly affects children under five years of age but can infect any unvaccinated child. It has no cure and can cause permanent paralysis.
Vaccination remains the safest and most effective way to protect children and prevent the spread of the disease.
Chisamile also called upon traditional and religious leaders, Members of Parliament, councillors, teachers, civil society organizations, employers, community volunteers, development partners, the media, and all communities to support social mobilization efforts and encourage parents and caregivers to have every eligible child vaccinated.
The Ministry further appreciated the continued commitment of health workers, Health Surveillance Assistants, community volunteers, partners, the media, and the public for their support in protecting Malawi’s children from polio.
“Together, let us protect every child. Every dose counts. Every child matters,” Chisamile stressed.
