30 June 2025, Mogadishu, Somalia – Mothers visited the Hamar Jajab Maternal and Child Health Centre in Banadir region on a hot morning in May, babies cradled in one arm, toddlers clinging to the other, to join the queues of caregivers waiting under the shade of a big tree inside the facility, all hoping to get their children vaccinated.

The Centre is among 8653 fixed sites that co-delivered measles, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and polio vaccines as part of the first integrated campaign of its kind to protect Somali children from measles, pneumonia, and polio.

Translating government willpower into action

The integrated campaign provides a model of how to translate political commitment into action and safeguard children from preventable diseases.

In April 2025, Somalia introduced the PCV into the national immunization programme in an initiative led by the Federal Ministry of Health, with support from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and other partners. Simultaneously, there has been high-level commitment to respond to poliovirus as soon as it is detected.  

As part of the integrated campaign, health workers provided measles and PCV vaccines to children across the country, while in Somaliland, Puntland, and parts of Galmudug, oral polio vaccine (nOPV2) was administered to children to combat the spread of variant poliovirus detected in December 2024

These campaigns provided measles vaccines to 3.3 million children aged between 6 months and five years, PCV to 2.6 million children aged between 1 and 5 years, and polio vaccine to 1.6 million children aged under 5 years, improving immunization coverage, reducing the risk of outbreaks and contributing to a healthier future for Somalia’s children.

Mothers’ relief at having access to a suite of vaccines

Mulki Osman Ali, a 26-year-old mother of 2 – a son aged 2 and a daughter just over one-and-a-half years old – was among the mothers present at the health centre in Hamar Jajab. She explained this was the first time her children had the opportunity to receive the PCV and rotavirus vaccines.

“For a long time, I worried that my children were missing out on important vaccines that children in other countries receive,” she said. “When I heard these vaccines were finally available in the country, I didn’t wait. I wanted to be among the first to protect my children from diseases that have claimed the lives of so many others.”

Her words reflect the commitment of Somali parents who are determined to give their children a healthier, safer future.

Outreach campaign  in remote areas

Health workers, including supervisors from WHO Somalia and other partners who helped oversee the campaign, worked tirelessly to deliver the vaccines and ensure the campaign’s success.

In remote and underserved areas, where communities have limited access to health care services, outreach and mobile strategies played a crucial role in reaching and protecting children from life-threatening diseases.

“We administered 3 vaccines to children, to protect children against measles, polio and pneumonia. Measles is currently widespread in the country, and we reached many parents and children who hadn’t been able to reach health facilities. By going into their neighbourhoods, we provided opportunities for more children to be vaccinated. These vaccines help prevent outbreaks of poliovirus and respiratory infections that can develop into pneumonia. Parents believe in the benefits of vaccination. During the integrated vaccination campaign we vaccinated many children, sometimes reaching over 100 individuals, in a day” said Ladan Ahmed, a health worker in Hargeisa, Somaliland.

Community trust in local health workers is a cornerstone of successful vaccination efforts, in a society where both parents play crucial roles in ensuring children can access health care. 

“I’ve always made sure my children are vaccinated. I have 3 children — 11, 9 and 3 years old. Today, my youngest just received his vaccines. Vaccines protect children from measles, and many other illnesses. I encourage all mothers to vaccinate their children. The health worker is someone we know and trust. They visit us regularly and are always ready to help,” said Gudon Omar Yusuf.

Though challenges persist, Somalia is making strides in its vaccination efforts thanks to the leadership of the health authorities with the support of Gavi, WHO and UNICEF Somalia and many other partners.

Strengthened trust in health workers, coupled with expanded outreach to remote communities, is closing immunization gaps, leading the shift towards protecting more children and promoting long-term health throughout the country. 

For more information, please contact:

Khadar Hared, Communication Officer, WHO Somalia

Tel: +252619800011

Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it