From Door to Door, Day by Day: Yemen’s Polio Frontline Heroes
Inside Yemen’s national effort to vaccinate every child and end polio once and for all.
- English
- العربية
Under the scorching Aden sun, Najween Abdullah walks from door to door, her vaccine cooler in hand and hope in her heart. Like thousands of health workers across Yemen, she’s part of a national drive to protect children from one of the world’s most crippling diseases (Polio).
Health Challenges
In Yemen, children face severe health challenges due to a fragile healthcare system and the repercussions of an ongoing crisis. Among the most serious threats is polio, a contagious disease that affects children under five and can cause lifelong paralysis. The recent confirmation of 29 cases of Polio has made the mission to protect every child more urgent than ever.
To stop the spread, the Ministry of Public Health and Population, with support from UNICEF and WHO, launched the second round of the national polio vaccination campaign across 12 governorates. Over three days, nearly 15,000 health workers fanned out across Yemen, going door to door and staffing fixed health sites to vaccinate more than 1.3 million children under five.
Refuting Rumors
From busy city streets to remote villages, mobile immunization teams carry vaccine cold boxes, determined to reach every child under five. Against this backdrop, Najween Abdullah, a community mobilizer, highlights the power of awareness.
“Raising awareness is essential,” says Najween. “Once a child contracts polio, there is no cure. Prevention is the only way to save lives.” Najween added.
She elaborates on how these campaigns work on the ground, “I attend women’s gatherings, initiating conversations about immunization and correct misconceptions. I also use posters and brochures to stress the life-saving benefits of vaccination and the risks of refusing it.” She notes the shift in parents’ awareness, “In the past, many parents believed vaccines were harmful and would not even listen to immunization teams. Thanks to the ongoing awareness campaigns, parents now understand the importance of vaccinating their children.”
Najween’s commitment is reinforced by community trust. “I am dedicated to protecting children’s health,” she says. “Parents’ encouragement keeps me going. After vaccinating their children in the first round, many of them felt secure knowing their children are protected from polio. Their excitement for the second round now motivates me to carry on.”
For Amal Mohammed, a health worker and vaccinator, the progress is clear. She travels from one neighborhood to another, gently administering two drops of the oral vaccine to every child she meets.
“With just two drops, a child can be protected,” Amal says, smiling. “Parents now open their doors with confidence. That gives me hope that one day, Yemen will be polio-free.”
Parents Joining the Effort
Among the many parents inspired by these campaigns is Mahmoud Saleh, a father of three. He ensures that none of his children misses a single vaccination round. “After hearing about new cases nearby, I became determined,” he says. “Vaccines are life-saving, protecting my children is my duty as a father.”
He also speaks directly to hesitant parents: “Do not listen to rumors. They only hold back our progress. By vaccinating our children, we secure their future.”
Across Yemen, thousands of parents like Mahmoud are joining hands with mobilizers and health workers, creating a powerful shield of protection for children.
Together, Yemen’s health workers, mobilizers, and parents are rewriting the story of polio, from fear and rumor to trust and protection.
Every door knocked, every child reached, brings the country one step closer to a future where no child will ever be paralyzed by polio again.
