On the front line against polio: four days to protect the future of children
Faced with the threat of a polio outbreak, thousands of people rallied in the Atsimo-Andrefana region from 11 to 14 August 2026 to reach every child aged between 0 and 59 months.
With a cold box in hand, Nomena, the vaccinator, leaves the Mahavatse I Basic Health Centre in the Atsimo Andrefana region, carrying the necessary doses of polio vaccine for her day’s work. Behind every vaccine administered there is the preparation, commitment and determination of the teams on the ground to reach every child, right down to the very last mile.
Nomena reaches the first home. This first child receives the two precious drops that will protect them against polio, marking the start of a day dedicated to the health of children.
Vaccinated and identified. This simple but vital step enables teams to keep track of children who have already been vaccinated and to ensure that no child aged between 0 and 59 months is left behind.
Protecting children also requires accuracy. After each visit, the record keeper updates the register. This essential tool makes it possible to check that every child has been included and ensures that vaccination activities are rigorously monitored.
Vaccination is also a matter for fathers. Alongside his wife, this father is committed to his daughters’ health by ensuring they receive their polio vaccine. An example of positive parenting that shows that protecting a child is the responsibility of the whole family.
Beyond the figures and the number of doses administered, this campaign reflects an exceptional human commitment. A dedicated healthcare workforce, working tirelessly for a single cause: to protect every child and build a polio-free Madagascar.
This campaign reflects a collective mobilization effort. From vaccination workers to community mobilisers, from parents to partners, everyone plays a vital role. Working alongside the Ministry of Public Health, UNICEF remains committed to a single mission: to protect every child, everywhere, right down to the last mile.
Lova Renée, the Youth Advocate, emphasises the importance of vaccination during her awareness-raising session. Speaking in front of parents, local authorities and community leaders, she calls on everyone to help protect children by promoting access to essential vaccines. Her message also highlights the importance of welcoming and supporting health workers as they carry out their mission.
Eradicating polio is everyone’s responsibility. Working alongside local authorities, Lova Renée, the Youth Advocate, is helping to spread awareness so that every parent chooses to protect their child thanks to vaccination.
For every door knocked on, every awareness-raising session held and every mile travelled by the healthcare teams, there is one single goal: to ensure that every child receives the vaccines they need to grow up healthy.
Note: In Madagascar, the polio response campaign is supported by the partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative – the World Health Organisation (WHO), Rotary International, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Gates Foundation, Gavi – the Vaccine Alliance, the European Commission (EC) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
