A new round of polio vaccination for children begins this week in Government of Yemen-controlled areas.

The 3-day campaign, running from 12 to 14 July 2025, aims to boost population immunity in high-risk areas and prevent further spread of the virus by administering novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) to more than 1.3 million children in 120 districts across 12 governorates. The intervention comes in response to cases in the community and the continued confirmed circulation of variant type 2 poliovirus (cVDPV2) in environmental samples.

“Yemen remains at high risk for poliovirus outbreaks due to protracted conflict, weakened health systems and low routine immunization coverage,” said Acting WHO Representative in Yemen Dr Ferima Coulbibaly-Zerbo. “With poliovirus continuing to circulate and cases confirmed in 2025, these campaigns are essential to interrupt transmission and protect every child from the debilitating effects of polio.”