UNICEF has launched “Generation Zero Polio,” a network of five young French-speaking advocates from West and Central Africa.
The group is tasked with strengthening advocacy for childhood immunisation and supporting polio eradication efforts in a region that is home to nearly one in three of the world’s “zero-dose” children.
The “Generation Zero Polio” initiative aims to actively involve young people in public health policy, bridging the gap between local community realities and decisions made at national and regional levels. Network members will lead awareness campaigns, participate in vaccination drives, and contribute to communication strategies designed to build vaccine confidence.
“Millions of children in West and Central Africa are still not receiving the vaccines they need.
The voices, creativity, and mobilisation capacity of young people are essential to reach those who remain cut off from these lifesaving services,” said Gilles Fagninou, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa.
According to the latest joint estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, 90% of infants globally received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine in 2025, while 85% received the recommended three doses.
However, coverage rates in West and Central Africa have stagnated, failing to recover to pre-pandemic levels.
The region currently has approximately 6 million under-vaccinated children, including 4 million who have not received a single vaccine dose. Coverage for the third dose of the DTP vaccine remains at 71%, well below the 90% target set by the Immunisation Agenda 2030.
UNICEF also warned of the continued circulation of poliovirus variants across several countries. Since the beginning of the year, 56 polio cases have been reported in West and Central Africa—primarily in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, and Nigeria—where healthcare systems remain fragile due to insecurity, population displacement, and hard-to-reach communities.
The “Generation Zero Polio” network brings together five dedicated young advocates from Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Niger. Their mission will be to promote vaccination within communities, combat misinformation, and elevate youth voices in regional and international public health forums.
UNICEF envisions the initiative as a cornerstone for building a new generation of leaders capable of bolstering vaccine trust, influencing public policy, and accelerating progress toward eradicating polio in the region.
TE/Sf/lb/as/APA