Lao PDR Launches National Polio Vaccination Campaign to Protect 786.000 children

Vientiane Capital, 3 March 2026 - The Ministry of Health, with support from UNICEF, today officially launched the National Polio Supplementary Immunization Activity in Vientiane Capital, reaffirming Lao PDR’s commitment to protect every child from polio and strengthen the country’s immunization system.

The nationwide campaign is mobilizing health workers and volunteers to reach around 786.000 children across the country with the life-saving vaccine, including children in remote and underserved communities. 

The national launch ceremony brought together senior government officials, development partners, health professionals, and representatives of mass organizations to mark the beginning of the campaign.

At the campaign launch, H.E. Baykham Khattiya, Minister of Health, emphasized the Government’s determination to protect children’s health: “The Government of Lao PDR remains fully committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of location or background, has access to essential vaccines. This national polio campaign reflects our continued vigilance to prevent outbreaks and to strengthen routine immunization services across the country.”

Polio is a highly infectious virus that can cause irreversible paralysis and, in severe cases, death. As long as polio exists anywhere, children everywhere remain at risk - making continued vaccination essential.

The campaign is supported by partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, with generous funding support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through KSrelief.

UNICEF and WHO are working closely with the Ministry of Health to support vaccine logistics and cold chain management, training and supervision, risk communication and community engagement, and monitoring throughout the campaign.

Mr Bilal Aurang Zeb Durrani, UNICEF Country Representative in Lao PDR, highlighted the importance of community engagement and frontline health workers: “Vaccines save lives, but it is the dedication of health workers and the trust of communities that make immunization successful. UNICEF is proud to support the Government of Lao PDR in reaching every child, especially the most vulnerable and those in remote areas.”

Over the coming days, thousands of health workers and volunteers will travel to villages, schools, and communities nationwide to ensure all eligible children receive the polio vaccine.

For more information, please contact: 
Ministry of Health, Lao PDR 
UNICEF Lao PDR