By Carlos Claudio, Dodoma.
Dodoma Region is set to vaccinate more than one million children under the age of 10 in a national oral polio vaccination campaign aimed at strengthening immunity and preventing the spread of poliovirus.
The campaign, which begins on August 27, 2026, targets a total of 1,003,461 children across Dodoma’s eight local government authorities. The exercise will be conducted in two rounds, with the second round scheduled for September 29 to October 2, 2026.
Speaking to journalists in Dodoma, Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule said the campaign is a precautionary measure aimed at protecting children and strengthening community immunity against polio.
She emphasized that there is currently no confirmed case of polio in Dodoma Region, clarifying that the vaccination campaign should not be interpreted as an indication of a polio outbreak in the region.
The campaign will target all children below the age of 10, including those who have already completed their routine vaccination schedules, as an additional measure to strengthen protection against the virus.
To ensure wider coverage, 2,001 vaccination teams have been prepared across Dodoma. Each team will comprise a vaccinator, a data recorder and a community mobiliser.
The teams will administer the vaccine at schools, health facilities, places of worship and through house-to-house visits, as well as other areas where children can be reached.
Dodoma City has the largest target, with 207,096 children, followed by Chamwino with 169,408, Kongwa with 151,386, Mpwapwa with 135,907, Chemba with 119,631, Bahi with 115,909, Kondoa with 80,465 and Kondoa Town with 23,659.
The campaign is being implemented as part of a broader national effort involving the Ministry of Health, the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government, and vaccination partners.
RC Senyamule has urged parents and guardians to ensure that every eligible child receives the oral polio vaccine, which is provided free of charge.
She also called on residents to maintain proper personal and environmental hygiene, including regular handwashing with clean water and soap and the proper use of toilets, as part of efforts to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
The campaign is being conducted under the slogan:
“VACCINATE YOUR CHILD. PROTECT YOUR CHILD’S SMILE. STOP POLIO.”
Authorities have also called on religious leaders, teachers, community leaders, health workers and the media to support the campaign by ensuring that accurate information reaches parents and guardians across the region.
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