Somalia Approves Six-Month Plan to Expand Child Vaccination and Eradicate Polio

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia has approved a six-month action plan to strengthen childhood immunisation, expand vaccine coverage and accelerate efforts to eradicate polio, as the government seeks greater accountability and domestic financing for the country’s vaccination programmes.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre chaired the first meeting of the National Immunisation and Polio Eradication Committee (SIPE) since its establishment, bringing together government ministries, federal member state representatives and international health partners.

Participants included officials from the ministries of Health, Education and Finance, alongside representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, Africa CDC and the Gates Foundation.

Discussions focused on reaching children who have missed routine vaccinations, improving access to essential child health services, strengthening polio eradication efforts and increasing government funding for immunisation.

PM Barre said vaccination budgets must produce measurable results, with resources reaching children through transparent and accountable systems.

“Every budget allocated for vaccination must deliver clear results, and vaccines must reach every child,” the prime minister said, stressing that programme performance should be assessed by the number of children protected and the quality of services delivered.

He added that the joint immunisation executive committee would be assessed on vaccination coverage, the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases and improvements in children’s access to essential vaccines.

Representatives from health agencies, the Ministry of Health, the Prime Minister’s Office and federal member states presented reports during the meeting. The committee subsequently approved a six-month work plan outlining the responsibilities of participating institutions and implementation timelines.

The participants also agreed to strengthen domestic financing, improve coordination among government ministries and enhance accountability among international partners.

Somalia continues to face challenges in reaching children with routine vaccinations, particularly in remote and underserved communities. Conflict, population displacement, limited health infrastructure and gaps in access to basic services have complicated efforts to achieve widespread immunisation.

Polio vaccination remains a key public health priority, with sustained immunisation campaigns and surveillance needed to prevent transmission and protect children from the potentially paralysing disease.