Harare, Zimbabwe – July 2026 – Zimbabwe has successfully completed three rounds of synchronized vaccination campaigns using the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) as part of a coordinated Southern African response to prevent the re-establishment of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).

Maputo – The Government of Mozambique, through the Ministry of Health, launched the Action Plan for Child Survival 2026–2030, launched on Monday 20 July 2026, in Maputo Province, a strategic instrument aimed at accelerating the reduction of child mortality and ensuring that all children have the opportunity to survive, grow and develop to their full potential.

Brazzaville, 22 July 2026 - Just days before the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicks off, African women footballers are calling on leaders across the continent to renew their political commitment, sustain investment and take collective action to protect every child from polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

By: Olívio Gambo, WHO Angola Communication Officer

In a world increasingly affected by outbreaks, epidemics, extreme weather events, and other public health challenges, the question is no longer whether new crises will arise, but rather how well prepared we will be to tackle them. Preparedness for crises does not depend solely on hospitals, medicines, or the availability of healthcare professionals; it also depends on something less visible, yet equally crucial: the trust of communities.

Angola has concluded the first Meeting on the Prioritization and Optimization of the Vaccine Portfolio. This strategic exercise brought together national experts, health officials, and technical partners to define priorities and strengthen evidence-based decision-making within the framework of the National Immunization Strategy for 2026 to 2030.

19 July 2026 – LUSAKA, Zambia. The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Health, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, UNICEF and other partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), has launched the final round of the Sub-National Immunization Activities (SIA) polio campaign targeting about 3.9 million children under the age of five. 

Dakar, 17 July 2026 – Nine African countries have developed costed national roadmaps to strengthen health professions education and ensure that future health workers acquire the competencies needed to respond to evolving health priorities.

The roadmaps were developed during a five-day workshop convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa in Dakar, Senegal.

Asmara—Eritrea’s National Health Laboratory is strengthening its genomic sequencing capacity to improve disease surveillance and generate critical scientific data for public health. This technology enables scientists to analyse viruses, bacteria and parasites in depth, helping them better understand how pathogens evolve, detect antimicrobial and drug resistance, and guide public health interventions more effectively. 

Following the detection of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in environmental surveillance samples in Blantyre, and its subsequent confirmation among children in the community, Malawi rapidly activated a comprehensive outbreak response. The Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), and partners, launched a nationwide response with one clear objective: protect every child and stop the virus before it spreads.