Ghana successfully ends type 2 poliovirus outbreak, maintains over 95% immunisation coverage – GHS

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced the successful closure of Ghana’s type 2 poliovirus outbreak in August 2026, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to eliminate the disease.

In a statement issued on Saturday, October 24, to commemorate World Polio Day 2026, the Service said the achievement followed sustained immunisation campaigns, strengthened disease surveillance and coordinated outbreak response measures.

According to the GHS, the outbreak was successfully closed in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, Rotary International and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The milestone, confirmed through rigorous Outbreak Response Assessments (OBRA), places Ghana alongside Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of Congo and Uganda, which also successfully closed their type 2 poliovirus outbreaks in August 2026.

“This milestone, confirmed through rigorous Outbreak Response Assessments (OBRA), demonstrates Ghana’s strong surveillance, immunisation, and rapid response systems,” the statement noted.

The Service attributed the progress to years of investment in routine immunisation, supplementary vaccination campaigns and community mobilisation, which have helped prevent endemic polio transmission.

It disclosed that since introducing the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) in 2018 and adding a second dose in 2024, Ghana has consistently maintained immunisation coverage above 95 per cent.

Despite the achievement, the GHS cautioned against complacency, stressing that continued surveillance and vaccination remain essential to preventing new outbreaks.

“A polio case anywhere is a polio case everywhere,” the statement emphasised, underscoring the importance of sustained collaboration with international health partners.

This year’s World Polio Day is being observed under the theme “One Day, One Focus: Ending Polio for Good”, highlighting the importance of community participation and ensuring that every eligible child receives the necessary vaccines.

The Service reminded the public that polio can cause lifelong paralysis but is preventable through vaccination, urging parents and caregivers to ensure their children are fully immunised.

“Together, we can protect our children and secure a polio-free future for Ghana,” it stated.

The GHS, under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining Ghana’s polio-free status and strengthening measures to protect children against future outbreaks.