Global Commitment to Eradicating Variant Poliovirus in Horn of Africa and Yemen

Countries in the Horn of Africa and Yemen have reaffirmed their commitment to ending transmission of circulating variant poliovirus (cVDPV) through strengthened cross-border coordination, synchronized immunization campaigns, and improved surveillance, according to a joint declaration issued during the Interministerial Meeting on Polio held on May 20, 2026.

The meeting, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Offices for Africa (AFRO) and the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), brought together health ministers and senior officials from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen. The gathering marked a critical juncture in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), which has identified the subregion as one of the world’s most challenging epidemiological settings due to factors including population movement, humanitarian crises, insecurity, and persistent immunity gaps.

Progress Amid Persistent Challenges

Despite ongoing difficulties, recent data highlights measurable progress. Kenya has reported no poliovirus cases since July 2024, while Ethiopia has achieved a 98% reduction in detections of circulating variant poliovirus since the onset of its most recent outbreak. These gains underscore the effectiveness of coordinated action, though significant obstacles remain.

Somalia continues to grapple with a prolonged cVDPV2 outbreak first detected in 2017, while Yemen’s ongoing outbreak—active since 2021—has paralyzed 452 children, predominantly in northern governorates. The persistent nature of these outbreaks reflects the complex operational environment, where conflict, displacement, and limited access to healthcare impede vaccination efforts.

Strategic Priorities for 2026–2027

The meeting’s participants emphasized three key strategies to accelerate eradication:

• Cross-border coordination: Recognizing the fluid movement of populations across porous borders, countries agreed to synchronize vaccination campaigns and surveillance efforts to prevent cross-contamination of outbreaks.
• Strengthened surveillance: Enhanced detection systems are being deployed to identify and respond to poliovirus circulation in real time, particularly in high-risk areas.
• Synchronized action: Aligning immunization schedules with humanitarian response efforts to ensure children in conflict zones and hard-to-reach areas receive vaccines.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Professor Mohamed Janabi, chaired the meeting and underscored the urgency of the task. “The Horn of Africa and Yemen remain one of the world’s most interconnected and complex polio epidemiological settings,” he noted. “Our success hinges on collective action, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to leave no child behind.”

Global Context and the Path Forward

The renewed focus on the Horn of Africa and Yemen aligns with broader global efforts to eradicate polio. According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, cases of wild poliovirus have plummeted from an estimated 1,000 daily in the early 2000s to just 35 annually, thanks in part to sustained vaccination campaigns led by Rotary International and other partners. However, the resurgence of cVDPV—transmitted through low immunization rates rather than wild virus—has become a critical challenge, particularly in regions with fragile healthcare systems.

Experts warn that the fight against cVDPV requires not only medical intervention but also political will. In areas like northern Yemen, where conflict has made vaccination “impossible” in some regions, humanitarian access remains a major barrier. The WHO and its partners are working to integrate polio eradication with broader health and stability initiatives, recognizing that sustainable progress depends on addressing the root causes of vulnerability.

What Comes Next

The participating countries have set a target to stop cVDPV transmission in the subregion by the end of 2027. Achieving this goal will require continued funding, technical support, and political backing from the international community. The WHO and GPEI partners are already scaling up efforts, including:

• Expanded use of oral polio vaccine type 2 (OPV2) in high-risk areas.
• Training for frontline health workers to improve vaccine delivery in conflict zones.
• Strengthened laboratory networks to detect and respond to outbreaks swiftly.

As the world marks progress toward polio eradication, the Horn of Africa and Yemen serve as a critical test case. Their success—or failure—will shape the final push to eliminate the virus globally, ensuring that no region is left behind in the fight for a polio-free future.