Malawi is reaping health gains from the rollout of a second dose of the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV2), strengthening protection against type 2 poliovirus after regaining polio-free status in May 2024.
Launched in December 2024 by the Ministry of Health, with support from GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance and guidance from the Malawi Immunisation Technical Advisory Group, the IPV2 rollout has reached over 187,000 children as of April 2025.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday that the campaign has also trained 17,000 health workers and ensured vaccine availability in all health facilities, including remote outreach posts.
It said community engagement efforts have flourished across Malawi, with local leaders and health workers leading sensitisation campaigns, while data management tools and systems have been updated to incorporate the new vaccine.
Since the rollout of the second IPV2 dose, caregivers have reported fewer illness episodes among children, fewer hospital visits, and more time for income-generating activities.
The IPV2 initiative followed Malawi’s swift response to a Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1) case in 2022 – the first in 30 years.
Through mass vaccination and strengthened surveillance, the country regained its polio-free status within two years.
JN/APA