Health Minister launches landmark polio vaccination campaign to protect 4 million children in Benin
Cotonou –Today, the Minister of Health of Benin officially launched a nationwide polio vaccination campaign, marking a major effort to curb the recent spread of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in the country. The campaign seeks to protect 4 million children under the age of five with the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2).
In 2025 alone, Benin recorded 3 confirmed cases of cVDPV2 in individuals infected in Plateau (central region) and Borgou (northern region) departments, as well as environmental detections (in wastewater), revealing ongoing virus circulation that poses a serious threat to young children, especially in border areas with Nigeria. This clearly highlights the country’s vulnerability to importation and external transmission. The recommendation made by the African Regional Certification Commission during its 33rd statutory meeting — calling for a nationwide campaign with nOPV2 — therefore justifies the implementation of a national vaccination campaign using nOPV2.
"That is why our vigilance will never waver. Thanks to vaccination, we have the means to fight this disease until its complete eradication. This campaign is therefore part of our efforts to strengthen the Expanded Programme on Immunization, as well as our political will to ensure universal health coverage. The vaccine is safe, effective, and free of charge," said Prof. Benjamin Hounkpatin, Minister of Health.
This campaign, launched under the theme “Immunisation pour tous est possible” in conjunction with Africa Vaccination Week, will run from 20–24 June 2025, aiming at protecting over 4 million children under the age of five across the country.
The national polio vaccination campaign is modeled on the framework of the National Community Health Policy, which has been in place since 2020. Each vaccination team, made up of a primary community health worker and their assistant, is responsible for covering a cluster of 200 households to ensure every eligible child aged 0 to 59 months is vaccinated.
"Dear community health workers, your role is crucial. You are responsible for the quality of this vaccination campaign. Every household must be visited, and no eligible child should be left behind," said the Minister of Health.
More than 15,496 community health workers, including social mobilizers, and 1,920 social listening team members were mobilized and trained to ensure the safe and effective administration of the polio vaccine across all 12 departments of Benin.
The event brought together high‑level representatives from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi—the Vaccine Alliance, Rotary International, and other health partners, reasserting global support for polio eradication. Community leaders, traditional chiefs, and health volunteers are also playing key roles in promoting vaccine acceptance and dispelling misinformation.
According to WHO Representative Dr. Kouamé Jean Konan: “Children who are not up to date with their routine vaccinations are targets for the disease and also pose a risk to other children around them. That is why the country continues to regularly organize both localized and national campaigns, with the goal of permanently eradicating the poliovirus. The most recent response campaign, in June 2024, is a clear example of this.”
To counter misinformation about routine vaccination, community leaders, traditional authorities, and health volunteers were engaged through the establishment of Local Components of the Health System (CoLOSS), aimed at promoting vaccine acceptance and combating disinformation. UNICEF Representative Mr. Ousmane Niang expressed his appreciation for their involvement: “for their undeniable role in this campaign. I therefore encourage them to redouble their efforts in mobilizing parents to warmly welcome vaccination teams into their households.”
This response aligns with the WHO Africa Region’s strategy to halt all cVDPV2 outbreaks by the end of 2025 and reflects Benin’s renewed commitment to end polio once and for all.