Polio, a highly infectious disease-causing lifelong paralysis and mortality, has a devastating history in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Declared polio-free in 2000, PNG is facing the threat of an outbreak with poliovirus detected in wastewater and children, indicating community transmission.
There's no cure for polio, the disease can easily be prevented by ensuring every child is immunised.
The Current Situation
PNG's vaccination rate is among the lowest globally, with less than 50% of children receiving essential vaccines.
UNICEF's Response
UNICEF is working with the Government of PNG, WHO, and DFAT to strengthen surveillance, deliver vaccines, and prepare for vaccination campaigns. Your support is crucial to ensure every child is vaccinated and protected from polio.
How your support could help:
- $45 could help provide approximately 208 doses of polio vaccines
- $90 could help provide 130 doses of vaccinations of measles vaccines, one of the biggest killers of children under five.
- $135 could help provide 625 doses of polio vaccines
Any donation big or small helps. Please donate today.
