Otjiwarongo: The Directorate of Health in the Otjozondjupa Region officially launched its regional polio vaccination campaign at Edugate Academy in Otjiwarongo. Chairperson of the Otjozondjupa Regional Council, Paulus Nekundi, inaugurated the campaign, targeting a total of 64,153 children in the region. Nekundi noted that vaccination teams would visit schools catering to children under the age of ten. The campaign will also operate at health facilities and other identified vaccination centers in the region. He emphasized the importance of parental consent for vaccination and the provision of children's health passports to schools to eradicate polio in the Otjozondjupa Region.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Otjozondjupa Regional Health Director, Gebhardo Timotheus, stated that the Ministry of Health and Social Services has organized this nationwide polio vaccination campaign to occur in two rounds, from January 26-29, 2026, and February 24-27, 2026. Timotheus explained that polio is predominantly transmitted through the faecal-oral route, especially in areas with inadequate sanitation and hygiene, and can lead to disability in children. The vaccination will be administered by trained health workers who will drop doses into children's mouths. The campaign will cover health facilities, fixed centers, outreach sites, and will include door-to-door visits.

Timotheus further highlighted that children under five years are at the highest risk, prompting the Ministry of Health and Social Services to include children under ten years in the vaccination drive, as all children in communities with low immunity remain vulnerable. Otjiwarongo Mayor, Leonard Simushi, encouraged parents and caregivers in Otjiwarongo to actively participate to achieve a polio-free town. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry for providing the safe and free polio vaccination doses.