Somalia Vaccinates 70% of Children After Years of Setbacks, UN Says

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Somalia has achieved a significant public health milestone, with 70 percent of children now fully vaccinated — a 28 percent rise since 2012 — according to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

The Estimates of National Immunization Coverage report highlights Somalia’s progress despite long-standing challenges such as conflict, displacement, and limited access to healthcare. For years, routine vaccination coverage remained under 50 percent, leaving millions of children vulnerable to preventable diseases.

But recent investments are paying off. Nearly 700,000 children who had never received a single vaccine — often referred to as “zero-dose” children — have now received their first dose of the pentavalent vaccine, which protects against diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, and whooping cough.

“This is a major step forward,” said WHO’s representative in Somalia, Dr. Renee Van de Weerdt. “High-quality vaccination campaigns — including joint efforts with neighboring countries — are helping to protect Somali children, especially as the country continues to battle a polio outbreak that began in 2017.”

Somalia’s Health Minister, Dr. Ali Haji Adam, praised the gains but said more needs to be done. “Immunization remains one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent disease. Strengthening our frontline health workforce and increasing public awareness is essential to keep this momentum going,” he said.

The report also credited improved infrastructure, including better vaccine storage. According to UNICEF’s acting representative in Somalia, Nisar Syed, 90 percent of vaccination centers are now equipped with solar-powered refrigeration. “This wouldn’t be possible without strong government leadership and coordinated support from partners,” Syed noted.

 

Despite the progress, around 1.5 million Somali children under five remain unvaccinated. Health officials and aid agencies say the focus now is on reaching the most vulnerable communities and ensuring long-term support for the country’s health system.