Africa Nears Polio-Free Status, Says WHO on World Polio Day
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that Africa is making remarkable progress toward being declared polio-free. This milestone is driven by strong regional collaboration, digital innovation, and stronger health systems across the continent. According to the WHO, coordinated vaccination campaigns between January and October 2025 reached nearly 200 million children with at least one dose of the polio vaccine. These synchronized efforts, even in challenging regions, have led to a significant drop in outbreaks. Key to this success has been the use of technology, including digital payments for vaccinators and geospatial mapping to find and immunize children in hard-to-reach communities. Despite this progress, the WHO warns that challenges remain, including declining routine immunization and vaccine hesitancy. Sustained commitment is crucial to finally eradicating the disease and strengthening health systems for the future.