Benin has launched a nationwide campaign to eradicate the last traces of the poliovirus, intensifying efforts to vaccinate all children under the age of five and reinforce its public health achievements.
The campaign officially began on June 20 in the capital, Porto-Novo, with a launch event at the Djègan-Kpèvi Youth Center. Health Minister Benjamin Hounkpatin presided over the ceremony, joined by departmental prefect Dr. Marie Akpotrossou and Porto-Novo’s mayor, Charlemagne Yankoty.
“The results are encouraging, but we must eliminate the remaining outbreaks,” Minister Hounkpatin declared, urging community health workers to ensure every household is reached.
He emphasized that only children who are sick or severely malnourished would be temporarily exempt from receiving the vaccine.
Running until June 23, the campaign targets children aged 0 to 5 years—those most vulnerable to the disease.
Authorities hope the mobilization will help close immunity gaps and prevent new infections.
UNICEF’s Representative in Benin, Ousmane Niang, highlighted the urgency of strengthening routine immunization.
“The main obstacle to vaccination coverage is misinformation,” he warned, calling for strong engagement from community leaders, religious figures, and local influencers to counter rumors and build trust.
Benin has made considerable progress in combating polio in recent years, but isolated cases persist in some areas.
With support from international partners and local authorities, the government is determined to eliminate the virus once and for all.
This renewed commitment reflects Benin’s broader public health strategy aimed at safeguarding child health and achieving full polio eradication in line with global goals.
As teams fan out across the country for door-to-door outreach, officials say the campaign’s success will depend on the active participation of all citizens.
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