Bunjiwe Mkwananzi
Raymond Jaravaza, Zimpapers Reporter
PARENTS and guardians turned out in large numbers on Tuesday as Bulawayo launched the third round of its city-wide polio vaccination campaign, with health authorities targeting every child under the age of five to strengthen immunity against the highly infectious disease.
The four-day campaign, being conducted jointly by the City of Bulawayo and the Ministry of Health and Child Care, is taking place at municipal clinics, central hospitals, primary schools and a wide network of outreach centres across the city.
Children can also receive the vaccine at Cowdray Park Health Centre, Mater Dei Hospital, selected private surgeries offering vaccination services, crèches, marketplaces, churches, bus termini and designated outreach points.
Health workers are also conducting door-to-door visits to ensure children who cannot access fixed vaccination sites are not left behind.
In a statement, Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said the latest campaign builds on the success of the previous two rounds conducted in April and June.
“Following the successful implementation of Round 1 which was conducted on the 20 to 23 April, and Round 2 on the 2 to 5 June 2026, Round 3 seeks to strengthen immunity among children under five years of age and ensure that no child is left unprotected. Urban centres are prioritised in outbreak response because viruses can spread quickly through dense populations and travel links,” he said.
Mr Dube said Bulawayo had been prioritised because of its status as Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, with a highly mobile population and extensive transport networks that increase the potential for disease transmission.
He said the campaign targets all children below the age of five years, regardless of whether they have previously received polio vaccinations.
A snap survey by Zimpapers at municipal clinics in Entumbane, Njube and Pumula, as well as Cowdray Park Health Centre, revealed long queues of parents and guardians waiting to have their children vaccinated.
Despite the high turnout, parents said the process was efficient and well organised.
“It takes not more than three minutes for the nurses to register the child’s details and administering the polio vaccine drops in their mouth. We were encouraged to bring our kids regardless of whether they have been vaccinated before,” said Ms Agnes Muleya of Pumula East.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects young children and can cause irreversible paralysis. While there is no cure, the disease can be effectively prevented through vaccination.
The vaccination campaign runs until Friday, with health authorities urging all parents and guardians to ensure that every eligible child receives the oral polio vaccine to strengthen community immunity and prevent outbreaks.
