27 February 2025, Mogadishu, Somalia – On 13 February 2025, vaccination activities were launched in 4 districts of northern Somalia’s Sool region – Las Anod, Taleh, Hudun and Buuhoodle district– as part of The Big Catch-up initiative, an extended effort to lift vaccination levels among children to at least pre-COVID 19 pandemic levels.

In Somalia, The Big Catch-up began in July 2024. Launched by the Ministry of Health, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), it targets the estimated 1.5 million children under five who are either partially vaccinated or have never received any vaccines (zero-dose children). It also extends immunization efforts to adults, providing COVID-19 and tetanus vaccines.

In Sool region and Buhoodle district, 57 844 people were successfully vaccinated, including 25 519 zero-dose children and 13 697 mothers who were immunized against tetanus and diphtheria. Essential antigens used included OPV, BCG, DPT, IPV and MCV.

The vaccination drive comes at a crucial time. Communities in Sool have long faced an immunization gap which The Big Catch-up is now bridging by ensuring vulnerable populations receive life-saving vaccines.

Conflict severely disrupted access to essential immunization services, leaving thousands of children unprotected against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Safiya Ahmed Mohamed, who brought her daughter Umayma to a vaccination site in Las-Anod town, is among the mothers who benefited from the initiative. Born during the conflict in Las-Anod and surrounding areas, Umayma was unable to access vaccination services. Now, at the age of 20 months, she has finally received her first vaccine.

“I’m so happy that my daughter was vaccinated today,” says Safiya. “I have older children, and I was able to get them vaccinated. But when my youngest was born there were no vaccines in our area due to the fighting. There was a gap. Vaccination always protected my other children. I’ve seen the benefits firsthand.”.

WHO and partners continue to explore strategies to reach vulnerable populations and ensure that no child is left behind in the fight against preventable diseases.

“The Big Catch-Up campaign lasted 7 intensive days in one of the areas with the highest need for vaccines. Many children here missed out on routine immunizations, and some had never been vaccinated at all. We identified significant gaps, and our goal is to close them – ensuring that no child is left behind. This was the first Big Catch-Up drive conducted in the Sool region, following 2 successful polio campaigns. We are also working with our partners to restore routine immunization, and are planning a measles and PCV integrated campaign to reach children and communities still in need. We are grateful to the local community and our partners for their commitment to delivering life-saving vaccines to those who need them most,” said WHO Somalia’s Coordinator for Immunization and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Dr Gedi Mohamed.

Somalia continues to make strides in expanding immunization coverage and The Big Catch-up has been instrumental in reaching unvaccinated children, especially in remote and hard-to-reach areas, helping to ensure that no child is left behind.

The advances in immunization are the result of strong collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health of Somalia, WHO Somalia, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF Somalia and other key partners. Their collective commitment to expanding routine immunization and conducting targeted vaccination campaigns is helping to ensure that children across Somalia, including those in conflict-affected and underserved areas, receive the protection they need.

For additional information, please contact:

Khadar Hared,
Communication Officer,
WHO Somalia.
Tel: +252619800011
Email: هذا البريد محمى من المتطفلين. تحتاج إلى تشغيل الجافا سكريبت لمشاهدته.

16 February 2025, Mogadishu, Somalia – Today Somalia launched a 4-day nationwide polio vaccination campaign targeting 2.5 million children under the age of 5 in the consequential states, Juballand, Hirshabelle, Southwest, Galmudug and Banadir Regional Administration in Somalia. Led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the campaign aims to stop the transmission of circulating variant type 2 poliovirus which has been in circulation in Somalia since 2017.

Somalia is one of the 7 “consequential geographies” identified by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative due to persistent polio outbreaks, fragile health systems and ongoing conflicts that hinder immunization efforts. Other high-risk regions include Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tete province in Mozambique, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, northern Yemen and northern Nigeria.

To stop the spread of polio, vaccination teams will go door-to-door, ensuring that every eligible child receives the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2). The campaign will also strengthen routine immunization efforts and enhance community engagement to address vaccine hesitancy.

Last year, through routine immunization efforts and targeted polio vaccination campaigns, Somalia successfully reached 600 000 of the estimated 1.5 million children who have not received a single dose of any vaccine. This campaign builds on that progress while reinforcing the government’s broader commitment to child survival.

Polio is a devastating but entirely preventable disease. Every round of vaccination brings us closer to stopping its transmission. With strong community engagement, government leadership and partner support we can ensure that no child is left behind. We remain committed to working with all stakeholders to protect every Somali child from polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases

The Somali government recently launched a national task force on immunization and polio eradication, chaired by the Prime Minister, to accelerate progress towards disease elimination. In addition to polio, the government plans to introduce pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines later this year which could significantly reduce pneumonia and diarrhoea-related deaths, 2 of the leading causes of child mortality in Somalia. 

For more information, please contact:

Khadar Hared, WHO Communication focal point, هذا البريد محمى من المتطفلين. تحتاج إلى تشغيل الجافا سكريبت لمشاهدته.

Mohamed Osman, Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services Head of Communications and Public Engagement, هذا البريد محمى من المتطفلين. تحتاج إلى تشغيل الجافا سكريبت لمشاهدته.

Victor Chinyama, UNICEF Chief of Communication, هذا البريد محمى من المتطفلين. تحتاج إلى تشغيل الجافا سكريبت لمشاهدته.

Somali mothers travel long distances to protect their children from outbreaks

6 February 2025 – Mothers play a critical role in keeping their children safe from diseases outbreaks, especially when it comes to vaccine-preventable diseases. In Somalia, where life can be tough, mothers have always worked hard to protect their families. This is even more challenging for those living in remote areas with little access to health care.

Determined to get their children vaccinated, many mothers travel long distances to reach cities where immunization services are available.

Layla Ali Nur, a 20-year-old mother and pastoralist, is one such example. During the third round of the Big Catch-up initiative on 20 November 2024, she made the 70 km journey on foot, with her son Abdulaziz, from her village of Bulo-Fuur near Qansahdhere to Baidoa, the capital of South West State, to ensure her child received life-saving vaccines.

“In our village, there’s no access to health services including immunization, and I’ve never seen any vaccination service since my son was born. I travelled from Bulo-Fuur to Baidoa to get him vaccinated because it’s the most important thing I can do for his health. Despite the hardships, I’m relieved he received the vaccine he missed,” she says.

When Layla and her son Abdulaziz arrived in Baidoa, they stayed with her extended family members at the Moqor-manyow camp for internally displaced people. The camp is home to thousands of people displaced by droughts and conflicts in South West State. Just two days after their arrival, The Big Catch-up vaccination initiative started. Layla took Abdulaziz to an outreach site at the camp to get him vaccinated for the first time since he was born. It was there that we had the opportunity to meet Layla and hear her story.

“My intention of travelling this long distance was solely to vaccinate my son. Since he had never gotten one, I had no choice but to walk all the way to Baidoa town because I couldn’t afford the transportation costs. My journey between Baidoa and Qansahdhere was tough, and carrying my son on my back for 70 km, made it even harder. The hunger, the thirst and the exhaustion were overwhelming, but in the end, we made it, and I’m grateful to be in Baidoa to protect my child against vaccine-preventable diseases,” Layla says.

The Big Catch-up

In the last few decades, Somali children have suffered recurrent outbreaks of polio, diphtheria, measles, pertussis and neonatal tetanus. These vaccine-preventable diseases persist due to low vaccination rates.

To enhance routine immunization for children, Somalia’s Ministry of Health launched The Big Catch-up on 18 July 2024, as part of a global initiative to boost vaccination among children following declines driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. To implement the initiative, the Somali government is partnering with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and others.

The initiative targets the estimated 1.5 million children below the age of 5 in Somalia who have not completed their vaccination schedules or who have never received vaccines – known as zero-dose children. It also aims to reach adults with COVID-19 and tetanus immunizations.

“The Big Catch-up is more than just a vaccination initiative, it’s an opportunity to protect children in Somalia from vaccine-preventable diseases. With over half a million children reached so far, we are making sure that no child is left behind. Together with the Ministry of Health, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and other partners, we are determined to protect every child, ensuring they grow up healthy and safe,” says Dr Gedi Mohamed, Immunization Coordinator at WHO Somalia.

States in southern and central Somalia have successfully completed the third round of The Big Catch-up, while the northern areas of Somaliland and Puntland are preparing to begin implementation. The turnout has been overwhelming, and through the combined and tireless efforts of the Ministry of Health and its partners, everyone is working tirelessly to ensure that no child is left behind.

For additional information, please contact:

Khadar Hared,

Communication Officer,

WHO Somalia.

Tel: +252619800011

Email: هذا البريد محمى من المتطفلين. تحتاج إلى تشغيل الجافا سكريبت لمشاهدته.

2 February 2025 – At 65, Ahmed Moalim Hirsi reflects on a lifetime of service dedicated to improving the health of people in Somalia.

After 26 years as a polio eradicator with WHO Somalia, Ahmed retired in 2024, after a career characterized by resilience, dedication and impact.

Ahmed’s journey with WHO began in April 1998 in Bosaso, a city on Somalia’s north-east coast, during a time of immense humanitarian challenges for the country brought on by ongoing conflict and recurring droughts.

A graduate of the Mogadishu Nursing School, gaining a diploma in nursing, Ahmed was no stranger to serving in critical roles in health care. From 1982 to 1989, he had served families living in remote locations before joining WHO.

As part of the pioneering WHO team in Puntland, which then comprised the regions of Bari, Nugal and Mudug, Ahmed was initially tasked with polio surveillance in Bari, Somalia’s largest region. He then served as Regional Polio Officer for Bari from 2001 to 2005, and later as the Puntland Zonal Polio Officer for 19 years, leading polio eradication efforts in Puntland, mentoring teams, overcoming security challenges and ensuring that life-saving vaccines reached even the most inaccessible children.

The fight against polio in Somalia

Ahmed’s efforts have been crucial in Somalia’s fight against polio. His leadership, particularly in Puntland, has laid a strong foundation for the country’s polio eradication initiatives, resulting in a significant reduction in cases over the years.

“When I started, Somalia was in turmoil, and security and living conditions were difficult, but the need for our work was immense. We brought hope to communities by fighting polio, one child at a time.” Ahmed recalls of the early days.

Reflecting on his work, Ahmed remembers the first polio case he encountered in 1999: a young girl in Bosaso, a case of acute flaccid paralysis, later confirmed to be caused by wild poliovirus. This marked the beginning of a long, determined battle against polio.

Ahmed observes that one of the greatest challenges in the early days of his work was the widespread misinformation and distrust among communities. Misguided beliefs about the polio vaccine circulated rapidly, with rumours claiming it could harm children or stunt their growth.

“One of the hardest parts was combating misinformation and propaganda against the vaccine. People were skeptical, but through relentless awareness campaigns and community engagement, we gradually changed their perceptions. We partnered with the state government, religious scholars and traditional leaders to build trust, which eventually led to our success,” Ahmed says.

Eradicating wild poliovirus

One of Ahmed’s most significant contributions was helping Somalia achieve official wild poliovirus-free status in 2014.

“We ensured that every town and village had skilled teams capable of delivering vaccines to children and women in need. We involved people who understood the community’s needs, such as district field assistants, making a significant difference in accessibility and trust,” he says.

“Eradicating the wild poliovirus from Somalia wasn’t just a success – it was a massive victory. Since 2014, there hasn’t been a single case of wild poliovirus in the country. Today, a large number of children are vaccinated, and vaccine refusal is almost nonexistent,” Ahmed notes proudly.

He emphasizes that the achievement goes beyond numbers alone, highlighting the strong system built by the government, communities and WHO Somalia as a lasting legacy.

“What we built is more than just polio eradication – it’s a strong health system that connects the people, the government and WHO. That system still stands today. I’m leaving behind not only success but also memories of teamwork and shared purpose with my colleagues, who became like family,” Ahmed concludes.

However, this success came with great personal sacrifice. In December 2010, while on a supervision mission in Bosaso, he was involved in a severe motorcycle accident that left him with injuries to his arm requiring metal implants.

“This work has not been without its risks. I still have metal rods in my arm from that accident. But looking back, the sacrifices were worth it. We achieved so much for the children of Somalia,” he says with a smile.

“His story serves as a powerful inspiration to health workers across Somalia. His unwavering commitment highlights the impact of dedication, even in the face of adversity, in transforming the lives of millions”, says Dr Gedi Mohamed, Immunization Coordinator, WHO Somalia.

Service, care and compassion beyond retirement

Retirement has not diminished Moalim’s commitment to his community. Now residing in Qardho, Puntland, approximately 200 km from his previous workplace in Bosaso, Ahmed continues to serve those in need. Though no longer in his formal position, he remains a key figure in his community, using his skills as a traditional orthopaedic practitioner to assist individuals with bone injuries.

Living with his family of 11 children, Ahmed spends his days providing free orthopaedic care to those unable to afford treatment. People come not only from Qardho but from neighbouring areas as well. His work, done entirely without charge, is a heartfelt gift to the community, motivated by his strong sense of duty and faith.

“Being a traditional bone setter is another skill I have, one that Allah has blessed me with,” says Ahmed. “I use this skill to help the people. I don't take any money for it…I consider this work as charity, and I do it for the sake of Allah.”

Ahmed’s selfless contributions remind us that even after retirement, one can continue to have a profound impact on the lives of others. His service to the Somali people stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication and compassion. His legacy endures in every child vaccinated, every community protected and the health system he helped build for future generations.

For additional information, please contact:

Khadar Hared,
Communication Officer,
WHO Somalia.
Tel: +252619800011
Email: هذا البريد محمى من المتطفلين. تحتاج إلى تشغيل الجافا سكريبت لمشاهدته.