From October 3 to 6, 2024, Kenya and Uganda successfully vaccinated over 6.5 million children under five in a coordinated polio immunization campaign targeting high-risk border areas. This joint effort, launched simultaneously in Kenya’s Bungoma District and Uganda’s Mbale District, addressed the persistent risk of cross-border virus transmission. The synchronized approach, involving shared dates and real-time information exchange, ensured thorough vaccination coverage across vulnerable border regions. This campaign follows recent detections of polioviruses in Kenya (six in 2024) and Uganda (one case detected through environmental surveillance), underscoring the urgent need for collaborative action to protect children in the East African region. Both countries have implemented detailed micro-plans, mapping cross-border communities, migratory routes, and key entry points to maximize vaccine reach. The campaign’s regional focus spanned 10 districts along the 772-kilometer shared border.
