# Sudan Polio Vaccination Campaign
- Canonical dossier: [Web edition]()
- Markdown edition: [Plain-text edition]()
- Issue: Issue 006
- Rubric: Outbreak Response / Vaccination
- Byline: Totally Fine Foundation editorial desk
- Reading time: 9 min
- Last reviewed: 2026-10-29
> Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health, with WHO and UNICEF support, is running a nationwide nOPV2 campaign reported to target around 11 million children in October and November 2026. The first phase, 26–29 October, targeted 6 million children in 107 localities across 12 states; a second phase in the first week of November targets a further 5 million in 79 localities across the five Darfur states and West Kordofan — together matching the national target. Variant poliovirus has circulated since December 2024; in 2026, six children and three wastewater samples were confirmed positive, per the WHO/UNICEF release of 28 October 2026. The conflict that began in 2023 has disrupted the health system and limited routine immunization.
## Cover
- Kicker: Field dossier / MENA / disease outbreak
- Cover lines: Around 11 million children targeted with nOPV2 — in a country where the health system has been disrupted since 2023 / Six children and three wastewater samples confirmed positive in 2026, per the 28 October WHO/UNICEF release / First phase: 6 million children in 107 localities across 12 states / Second phase: a further 5 million across the five Darfur states and West Kordofan / According to the WHO, two phases cover all 18 states — reported 27 October / In Blue Nile, local implementation was reported to continue until 30 October
#### Hero visual provenance
- Caption: A view identified in the supplied metadata as Kassala state. The dossier does not provide a date or event description for this image; it accompanies reporting on Sudan's October–November 2026 polio vaccination campaign.
- Alt text: Photograph titled Kassala state.jpg, credited to Wd adil under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Credit: Wd adil
- Rights / license: CC BY-SA 4.0
- Asset: [View image]()
- Original / provenance: [Open source]()
## Metrics
### around 11 million children — National vaccination target
- Category: vaccination campaign target
- Caveat: Per the WHO/UNICEF release of 2026-10-28 via reliefweb.int; covers the October-November 2026 nOPV2 campaign and does not include later adjustments or children outside the planned two phases.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`); [sudanindependent.com — Sudan Launches National Polio Vaccination Campaign for 11 Million Children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudanindependent-com`)
### 6 million children in 107 localities across 12 states — First phase target
- Category: vaccination campaign coverage
- Caveat: Per the WHO/UNICEF release of 2026-10-28 via reliefweb.int and Sudan Independent (2026-10-27); covers only the 2026-10-26 to 2026-10-29 first phase and does not cover the second phase.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`); [sudanindependent.com — Sudan Launches National Polio Vaccination Campaign for 11 Million Children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudanindependent-com`)
### 5 million children in 79 localities across the five Darfur states and West Kordofan — Second phase target
- Category: vaccination campaign coverage
- Caveat: Per the WHO/UNICEF release of 2026-10-28 via reliefweb.int; covers only the first week of November 2026 second phase and does not cover the first phase.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`)
### more than 4.3 million children under five in seven states — Earlier 2026 campaign target
- Category: vaccination campaign target
- Caveat: Per WHO EMRO and UN Sudan; covers the campaign launched on 2026-04-27 and does not cover the October-November 2026 campaign.
**Source trail:** [emro.who.int — WHO EMRO page on Federal Ministry of Health-led polio round for over 4.3 million children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-emro-who-int`); [sudan.un.org — UN Sudan page on nationwide polio vaccination of over 4.3 million children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudan-un-org`)
### six children and three wastewater samples — Confirmed poliovirus detections in 2026
- Category: disease surveillance
- Caveat: Per the WHO/UNICEF release of 2026-10-28; does not cover detections after that date or unreported cases.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`); [emro.who.int — WHO EMRO page on Federal Ministry of Health-led polio round for over 4.3 million children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-emro-who-int`)
### 12 states — First phase state coverage
- Category: geographic coverage
- Caveat: Per the WHO/UNICEF release of 2026-10-28 via reliefweb.int and Sudan Independent (2026-10-27); covers the first phase only and does not cover the five Darfur states and West Kordofan in the second phase.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`); [sudanindependent.com — Sudan Launches National Polio Vaccination Campaign for 11 Million Children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudanindependent-com`)
## Sudan's Second Polio Campaign of 2026
### A two-phase nationwide campaign
Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health, with support from WHO, UNICEF and partners, is implementing a nationwide polio vaccination campaign using novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2). It aims to reach around 11 million children in October and November 2026, according to the WHO/UNICEF release of 2026-10-28.
The first phase, scheduled from 2026-10-26 to 2026-10-29, targets 6 million children in 107 localities across 12 states. It launched on Monday 2026-10-26 and targets children from birth to five years old. The first-phase states are Khartoum, Gezira, Sennar, White Nile, North Kordofan, South Kordofan, Kassala, Gedaref, Red Sea, River Nile, Northern State and Blue Nile.
A second phase in the first week of November 2026 targets a further 5 million children in 79 localities across the five Darfur states and West Kordofan. According to the WHO, the vaccination programme will be implemented in two phases covering all 18 states, as reported on 2026-10-27.
An earlier polio campaign launched on 2026-04-27 targeted more than 4.3 million children under five in seven states: Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala, Khartoum, North Kordofan, Sennar and White Nile. The October 2026 campaign is the second polio vaccination campaign in Sudan this year.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`); [emro.who.int — WHO EMRO page on Federal Ministry of Health-led polio round for over 4.3 million children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-emro-who-int`); [sudan.un.org — UN Sudan page on nationwide polio vaccination of over 4.3 million children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudan-un-org`); [sudanindependent.com — Sudan Launches National Polio Vaccination Campaign for 11 Million Children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudanindependent-com`)
### Variant poliovirus since December 2024
The campaign aims to interrupt transmission of variant poliovirus, which began circulating in Sudan in December 2024.
In 2026, Sudan has confirmed poliovirus in six children and in three wastewater samples, per the WHO/UNICEF release of 2026-10-28.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`); [emro.who.int — WHO EMRO page on Federal Ministry of Health-led polio round for over 4.3 million children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-emro-who-int`)
### Conflict and interrupted access to routine immunization
The conflict in Sudan, which began in 2023, has disrupted the health system and limited children's access to health services, including routine immunization.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`); [link.springer.com — Conflict and Health article: Between bullets and outbreaks — epidemic control in Sudan's forgotten war]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-link-springer-com`); [doi.org — Research Paper: Sustaining Immunization in Sudan During Conflict, June 2023–December 2024]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-doi-org`); [thelancet.com — Lancet Correspondence: Polio in Sudan and Conflict Zones Needs Urgent Support]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-thelancet-com`)
### What remains unverified in the field
In Blue Nile state, the campaign was reportedly launched in Damazin on 2026-10-28 by the health ministry's director general. Local implementation there was reported to continue until 2026-10-30.
**Source trail:** [suna.sd — Blue Nile launches national polio response campaign]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-suna-sd`)
## Actors and positions
### Federal Ministry of Health of Sudan
- Role: Lead implementer and coordinator of the nationwide polio vaccination campaign
- Confidence: high
- Position: Government health authority collaborating with WHO, UNICEF and partners
- Supporter framing: No supporter framing documented in the sources reviewed.
- Opposing account: No opposing account documented in the sources reviewed.
- Independent assessment: No independent assessment documented in the sources reviewed.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`); [emro.who.int — WHO EMRO page on Federal Ministry of Health-led polio round for over 4.3 million children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-emro-who-int`); [sudan.un.org — UN Sudan page on nationwide polio vaccination of over 4.3 million children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudan-un-org`)
### World Health Organization (WHO)
- Role: Supporting partner and source of campaign and surveillance information
- Confidence: high
- Position: UN health agency supporting the Federal Ministry of Health
- Supporter framing: No supporter framing documented in the sources reviewed.
- Opposing account: No opposing account documented in the sources reviewed.
- Independent assessment: No independent assessment documented in the sources reviewed.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`); [emro.who.int — WHO EMRO page on Federal Ministry of Health-led polio round for over 4.3 million children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-emro-who-int`)
### United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
- Role: Supporting partner in the polio vaccination campaign
- Confidence: high
- Position: UN children's agency supporting the Federal Ministry of Health
- Supporter framing: No supporter framing documented in the sources reviewed.
- Opposing account: No opposing account documented in the sources reviewed.
- Independent assessment: No independent assessment documented in the sources reviewed.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`); [sudan.un.org — UN Sudan page on nationwide polio vaccination of over 4.3 million children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudan-un-org`)
### Blue Nile State health ministry director general
- Role: State-level official reported by SUNA to have launched the campaign in Damazin, Blue Nile, on 2026-10-28
- Confidence: medium
- Position: Health ministry director general for Blue Nile State
- Supporter framing: No supporter framing documented in the sources reviewed.
- Opposing account: No opposing account documented in the sources reviewed.
- Independent assessment: No independent assessment documented in the sources reviewed.
**Source trail:** [suna.sd — Blue Nile launches national polio response campaign]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-suna-sd`)
## Claims and evidence
### Sudan launched a nationwide polio vaccination campaign using nOPV2 to reach around 11 million children in October and November 2026.
- Claimant: Federal Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF and partners, per the WHO/UNICEF release of 2026-10-28
- Evidence status: confirmed
- Counterclaim: No documented counterclaim in the sources reviewed.
- Independent assessment: No independent assessment documented in the sources reviewed.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`); [sudanindependent.com — Sudan Launches National Polio Vaccination Campaign for 11 Million Children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudanindependent-com`)
### The first phase, from 2026-10-26 to 2026-10-29, targets 6 million children in 107 localities across 12 states.
- Claimant: WHO/UNICEF release and campaign reports
- Evidence status: confirmed
- Counterclaim: No documented counterclaim in the sources reviewed.
- Independent assessment: No independent assessment documented in the sources reviewed.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`); [sudanindependent.com — Sudan Launches National Polio Vaccination Campaign for 11 Million Children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudanindependent-com`)
### A second phase in the first week of November 2026 targets a further 5 million children in 79 localities across the five Darfur states and West Kordofan.
- Claimant: WHO/UNICEF release
- Evidence status: confirmed
- Counterclaim: No documented counterclaim in the sources reviewed.
- Independent assessment: No independent assessment documented in the sources reviewed.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`)
### In 2026, Sudan has confirmed poliovirus in six children and in three wastewater samples.
- Claimant: WHO/UNICEF release of 2026-10-28
- Evidence status: confirmed
- Counterclaim: No documented counterclaim in the sources reviewed.
- Independent assessment: No independent assessment documented in the sources reviewed.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`); [emro.who.int — WHO EMRO page on Federal Ministry of Health-led polio round for over 4.3 million children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-emro-who-int`)
### The conflict in Sudan, which began in 2023, has disrupted the health system and limited children's access to health services, including routine immunization.
- Claimant: Humanitarian and research sources reviewed
- Evidence status: confirmed
- Counterclaim: No documented counterclaim in the sources reviewed.
- Independent assessment: No independent assessment documented in the sources reviewed.
**Source trail:** [link.springer.com — Conflict and Health article: Between bullets and outbreaks — epidemic control in Sudan's forgotten war]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-link-springer-com`); [doi.org — Research Paper: Sustaining Immunization in Sudan During Conflict, June 2023–December 2024]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-doi-org`)
### According to SUNA, in Blue Nile state the campaign was launched in Damazin on 2026-10-28 by the health ministry's director general, and local implementation was reported to continue until 2026-10-30.
- Claimant: SUNA
- Evidence status: likely
- Counterclaim: No documented counterclaim in the sources reviewed.
- Independent assessment: No independent assessment documented in the sources reviewed.
**Source trail:** [suna.sd — Blue Nile launches national polio response campaign]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-suna-sd`)
## Language record
### World Health Organization
- Role: UN health agency; source of the 2026-10-28 Khartoum release
- Context: Opening of the WHO/UNICEF campaign release dated 28 October 2026, as carried by ReliefWeb.
Quotation text is available in the web edition and the cited original source; it is not republished in this machine-readable edition.
**Source:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`)
### WHO EMRO
- Role: WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean
- Context: WHO EMRO description of the earlier 2026 campaign led by the Federal Ministry of Health.
Quotation text is available in the web edition and the cited original source; it is not republished in this machine-readable edition.
**Source:** [emro.who.int — WHO EMRO page on Federal Ministry of Health-led polio round for over 4.3 million children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-emro-who-int`)
## Timeline
### 2026-04-27 — Sudan launches April polio vaccination campaign targeting 4.3 million children
- Event type: treatment\_update
- Confidence: high
Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health and partners launched a polio vaccination campaign on 27 April 2026 targeting more than 4.3 million children under five in seven states: Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala, Khartoum, North Kordofan, Sennar and White Nile, according to WHO EMRO and UN Sudan.
**Source trail:** [emro.who.int — WHO EMRO page on Federal Ministry of Health-led polio round for over 4.3 million children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-emro-who-int`); [sudan.un.org — UN Sudan page on nationwide polio vaccination of over 4.3 million children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudan-un-org`)
### 2026-10-26 — First phase of nationwide polio vaccination campaign begins
- Event type: treatment\_update
- Confidence: high
The first phase of Sudan's nationwide polio vaccination campaign began on 26 October 2026, targeting 6 million children in 107 localities across 12 states, according to ReliefWeb and Sudan Independent.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`); [sudanindependent.com — Sudan Launches National Polio Vaccination Campaign for 11 Million Children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudanindependent-com`)
### 2026-10-28 — Blue Nile state launches polio vaccination campaign in Damazin
- Event type: treatment\_update
- Confidence: medium
The health ministry's director general launched the polio vaccination campaign in Damazin, Blue Nile state, on 28 October 2026, with local implementation reported to continue until 30 October, according to SUNA.
**Source trail:** [suna.sd — Blue Nile launches national polio response campaign]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-suna-sd`)
### 2026-10-29 — Scheduled end of first phase
- Event type: treatment\_update
- Confidence: high
The first phase was scheduled to run from 26 to 29 October 2026, targeting 6 million children in 107 localities across 12 states, per the WHO/UNICEF release of 28 October 2026 and Sudan Independent.
**Source trail:** [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`); [sudanindependent.com — Sudan Launches National Polio Vaccination Campaign for 11 Million Children]() (`src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudanindependent-com`)
## Visual essay
### Gallery image 01
#### Visual provenance
- Caption: An internally displaced persons camp in Darfur, as shown in a USAID public-domain photograph. No date or specific camp is provided in the metadata; the dossier reports that conflict since 2023 has displaced people and disrupted health services.
- Alt text: Photograph of an internally displaced persons camp in Darfur, credited to USAID and in the public domain.
- Credit: USAID
- Rights / license: Public domain
- Asset: [View image]()
- Original / provenance: [Open source]()
### Gallery image 02
#### Visual provenance
- Caption: Soba University Hospital in Khartoum, photographed by Petr Adam Dohnálek under CC BY-SA 3.0 cz. The metadata does not state when the image was taken; the dossier notes that conflict has disrupted the health system and limited routine immunization.
- Alt text: Photograph of Soba University Hospital in Khartoum by Petr Adam Dohnálek, CC BY-SA 3.0 cz.
- Credit: Petr Adam Dohnálek
- Rights / license: CC BY-SA 3.0 cz
- Asset: [View image]()
- Original / provenance: [Open source]()
## Linked visual references
### Knocking Out Polio: Door-to-Door Vaccination Across 12 States
- Photographer: Viory
- Publisher: Viory
- Recognition: Standing situation-report video series for this crisis.
- Why it matters: Provides visual documentation of door-to-door vaccination across the first-phase states.
- Original: [Open reference]()
### Sudan Launches National Polio Vaccination Campaign for 11 Million Children
- Photographer: Sudan Independent
- Publisher: Sudan Independent
- Recognition: Core news report for the campaign launch.
- Why it matters: Independent news coverage of the national target and campaign start.
- Original: [Open reference]()
## Media desk
### Vaccination teams checking bus stations (33890844074).jpg
- Publisher: CDC Global
- Media type: photo
- Rights mode: direct\_image
- Placement: A two-phase nationwide campaign
- Caption: Vaccination teams checking bus stations, credited to CDC Global under CC BY 2.0. The metadata does not provide a date or country.
- Why it matters: Site-based vaccination at transit points can help reach children on the move during conflict.
The dossier reports a nationwide nOPV2 campaign targeting around 11 million children in October and November 2026. This CDC Global photograph shows vaccination teams checking bus stations, though the metadata does not specify when or where it was taken. It illustrates the kind of outreach described in the campaign.
- Original: [Open media record]()
#### Visual provenance
- Caption: Vaccination teams checking bus stations, credited to CDC Global under CC BY 2.0. The metadata does not provide a date or country.
- Alt text: Vaccination teams checking bus stations, credited to CDC Global under CC BY 2.0. The metadata does not provide a date or country.
- Credit: CDC Global
- Rights / license: CC BY 2.0
- Asset: [View image]()
- Original / provenance: [Open source]()
### Sudan launches polio vaccination campaign to protect 11 million children amid conflict
- Publisher: ReliefWeb / WHO
- Media type: report\_pdf
- Rights mode: linked\_reference\_only
- Placement: A two-phase nationwide campaign
- Caption: WHO statement on the nationwide polio vaccination campaign in Sudan.
- Why it matters: Primary operational statement with phase targets and detection counts.
This ReliefWeb item carries the WHO statement that Sudan is vaccinating around 11 million children in October and November 2026. It reports the first phase targeting 6 million children in 107 localities across 12 states, and a second phase targeting 5 million in 79 localities across the five Darfur states and West Kordofan. It also notes six children and three wastewater samples confirmed positive in 2026.
- Original: [Open media record]()
### Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health leads nationwide polio vaccination campaign to protect over 4.3 million children
- Publisher: WHO EMRO
- Media type: report\_pdf
- Rights mode: linked\_reference\_only
- Placement: What remains unverified in the field
- Caption: WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office page on the Federal Ministry of Health-led polio round.
- Why it matters: Documents an earlier 2026 round and ministry leadership.
The WHO EMRO page reports a Federal Ministry of Health-led polio campaign targeting more than 4.3 million children under five in seven states. This earlier 2026 round predates the October–November two-phase campaign described in the dossier. The page helps readers compare the scale of different rounds and the ministry's role.
- Original: [Open media record]()
## Source readings
### Two-phase nOPV2 campaign aims to reach around 11 million children from October into November 2026
- Registry ID: `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int`
- Publisher: reliefweb.int
- Source type: humanitarian
- Published: 2026-10-29
- Registry title: WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan
- Editorial note: ReliefWeb republication of a World Health Organization statement dated 28 October 2026; figures cover the campaign scope and the 2026 poliovirus burden.
- Original: [Open source]()
A 28 October 2026 WHO statement circulated by ReliefWeb outlines Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health campaign, supported by WHO and UNICEF, and the first-round targets by state group.
The World Health Organization statement, dated 28 October 2026 and published by ReliefWeb on 29 October 2026, describes a nationwide campaign by Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health, with WHO, UNICEF and partners, to deliver novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) to around 11 million children in October and November 2026.
The statement says the campaign is intended to interrupt transmission of variant poliovirus that began circulating in December 2024, and to boost immunity among children whose access to health services has been limited by conflict that began in 2023. In 2026, Sudan has confirmed poliovirus in six children and in three wastewater samples.
The first round is described in two phases: from 26 to 29 October, 6 million children are targeted in 107 localities across 12 states; in the first week of November, a further 5 million children are targeted in 79 localities across the five Darfur states and West Kordofan.
Sudan's Federal Minister of Health Dr Heitham Mohammed Ibrahim is quoted saying the mass vaccination campaign aims to boost every child's immunity against poliovirus to protect them from an ongoing outbreak.
#### Takeaways
- The WHO statement puts the campaign target at around 11 million children in October and November 2026.
- The first phase covers 6 million children in 107 localities across 12 states from 26 to 29 October.
- The second phase targets 5 million children in 79 localities across the five Darfur states and West Kordofan in the first week of November.
- Sudan confirmed poliovirus in six children and three wastewater samples in 2026, according to the statement.
### First of two planned rounds targets more than 4.3 million children under five across seven states
- Registry ID: `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-emro-who-int`
- Publisher: emro.who.int
- Source type: official\_position
- Registry title: WHO EMRO page on Federal Ministry of Health-led polio round for over 4.3 million children
- Editorial note: WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean page describing a Federal Ministry of Health-led campaign with WHO and UNICEF; the page is undated in the source line.
- Original: [Open source]()
The WHO EMRO page describes the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO and UNICEF, leading a campaign covering Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala, Khartoum, North Kordofan, Sennar and White Nile.
This WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office page reports that Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health, in close collaboration with WHO and UNICEF, has launched a polio vaccination campaign targeting more than 4.3 million children under five across seven states.
The page states that the campaign is led and coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Health and is the first of two planned rounds. The seven states covered are Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala, Khartoum, North Kordofan, Sennar and White Nile, with priority for children in high-risk, underserved and conflict-affected communities.
It describes microplanning by national and state health teams, mobilization of thousands of trained vaccinators and community workers, and systems established to avoid missing any child. Federal Minister of Health Dr Heitham Mohammed Ibrahim is quoted committing to ending polio in Sudan and protecting every child regardless of location or circumstances.
The page notes that the campaign follows detection of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).
#### Takeaways
- The WHO EMRO page describes the first of two planned rounds, targeting more than 4.3 million children under five.
- The campaign is led and coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Health with WHO and UNICEF.
- Seven states are covered: Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala, Khartoum, North Kordofan, Sennar and White Nile.
- The page links the campaign to detection of circulating variant poliovirus type 2.
### Nationwide campaign targets more than 4.3 million children under five across seven states
- Registry ID: `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudan-un-org`
- Publisher: sudan.un.org
- Source type: official\_position
- Registry title: UN Sudan page on nationwide polio vaccination of over 4.3 million children
- Editorial note: United Nations in Sudan page describing a Federal Ministry of Health-led campaign with WHO and UNICEF; the page is undated in the source line.
- Original: [Open source]()
The United Nations in Sudan page reports a Federal Ministry of Health-led campaign with WHO and UNICEF, prioritizing high-risk, underserved and conflict-affected communities.
The United Nations in Sudan page describes a nationwide polio vaccination campaign launched by the Federal Ministry of Health, in close collaboration with WHO and UNICEF, targeting more than 4.3 million children under five across seven states.
It says the campaign is led and coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Health and is the first of two planned rounds, covering Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala, Khartoum, North Kordofan, Sennar and White Nile states. The page says priority goes to children in high-risk, underserved and conflict-affected communities.
According to the page, national and state health teams carried out detailed microplanning and mobilized thousands of trained vaccinators and community workers, with systems in place to avoid missing any child. Federal Minister of Health Dr Heitham Mohammed Ibrahim is quoted saying the campaign reflects leadership and determination to close immunity gaps and safeguard the health of future generations.
The page notes the campaign follows detection of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).
#### Takeaways
- The UN Sudan page describes the first of two planned rounds, targeting more than 4.3 million children under five.
- The campaign is led and coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Health with WHO and UNICEF.
- Seven states are covered: Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala, Khartoum, North Kordofan, Sennar and White Nile.
- The page links the campaign to detection of circulating variant poliovirus type 2.
### Research article documents collapsed surveillance and overlapping outbreaks in Sudan's prolonged war
- Registry ID: `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-link-springer-com`
- Publisher: link.springer.com
- Source type: research
- Registry title: Conflict and Health article: Between bullets and outbreaks — epidemic control in Sudan's forgotten war
- Editorial note: Research article in Conflict and Health (Springer Nature Link) assessing epidemic control amid Sudan's conflict; figures include aid needs, displacement, health facility damage and outbreak conditions.
- Original: [Open source]()
The Springer Nature Link article reports health system damage, displacement and outbreak risks, with poliovirus among diseases emerging or worsening in the conflict.
The Conflict and Health article describes a prolonged, multi-sided war in Sudan that has devastated essential services such as healthcare. Humanitarian agencies report that more than 30 million Sudanese urgently need aid, according to the article.
It reports the conflict has triggered the largest internal displacement crisis globally, with over 11 million internally displaced persons and more than 3.9 million refugees in neighboring countries. At least 114 health facilities have been damaged or forced to close, and attacks on healthcare infrastructure and personnel have exceeded 550 documented incidents since the conflict began.
The article says the recent lean season further complicated the situation, with thousands affected by heavy rains and flooding across 15 states; acute malnutrition rose as roads and bridges were destroyed, and cholera, measles, conjunctivitis and poliovirus outbreaks have emerged or worsened. Surveillance and early warning systems have collapsed in many affected areas.
In late 2024, famine was confirmed in parts of North Darfur and the Nuba Mountains, the article states. It highlights overcrowded displacement sites such as Zamzam and Abu Shouk, where unsafe water, poor sanitation and insufficient shelter create conditions for epidemic transmission.
#### Takeaways
- The article reports more than 30 million people in Sudan urgently need aid, per humanitarian agencies.
- It documents over 11 million internally displaced persons and more than 3.9 million refugees.
- At least 114 health facilities have been damaged or closed, with over 550 documented attacks on healthcare since the conflict began.
- It reports collapsed surveillance in many areas and conditions in sites such as Zamzam and Abu Shouk that favour epidemic transmission.
### Sudanese health professionals urge action on polio in conflict zones
- Registry ID: `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-thelancet-com`
- Publisher: thelancet.com
- Source type: research
- Registry title: Lancet Correspondence: Polio in Sudan and Conflict Zones Needs Urgent Support
- Editorial note: Correspondence published in The Lancet on January 25, 2025; titled 'Polio in Sudan and other conflict zones: a call for urgent support', authored by Sudan-based health professionals.
- Original: [Open source]()
A January 2025 Lancet correspondence from Sudan-based authors calls for urgent support to address polio in Sudan and other conflict-affected areas.
The Lancet published a correspondence titled 'Polio in Sudan and other conflict zones: a call for urgent support' in Volume 405, Issue 10475, pages 295-296, on January 25, 2025.
The authors are Yousif Ali from the Sudan Field Epidemiology Training Program and the Health Emergencies and Epidemics Control General Directorate at the Sudan Federal Ministry of Health, Emmanuel Edwar Siddig from the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences at the University of Khartoum, and Ayman Ahmed from the Institute of Endemic Diseases at the University of Khartoum.
The piece carries DOI 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)02793-4 and copyright 2024.
#### Takeaways
- Published in The Lancet on January 25, 2025.
- Authored by professionals affiliated with Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health and University of Khartoum.
- Frames polio in Sudan and other conflict zones as requiring urgent support.
### Study examines how conflict disrupted Sudan's immunization program
- Registry ID: `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-doi-org`
- Publisher: doi.org
- Source type: research
- Registry title: Research Paper: Sustaining Immunization in Sudan During Conflict, June 2023–December 2024
- Editorial note: Abstract of a qualitative synthesis and desk review; reports displacement of over 10 million and severe impact on immunization.
- Original: [Open source]()
An abstract on doi.org describes a qualitative synthesis and desk review of Sudan's Expanded Program on Immunization from June 2023 to December 2024.
The paper 'Sustaining Immunization Under the Roar of Cannons: Lessons Learned from Sudan, June 2023 to December 2024' appears on doi.org with authors from Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health, the University of Gezira, and the University of Khartoum.
Its abstract states that the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has displaced over 10 million people, severely affected the country's immunization services.
The study uses a qualitative synthesis and desk review to explore the impact of the conflict on the Expanded Program on Immunization and the strategies used to mitigate challenges.
#### Takeaways
- Reports displacement of over 10 million people in Sudan.
- Focuses on the period from June 2023 to December 2024.
- Uses qualitative synthesis and desk review methods.
### Viory Video Shows Door-to-Door Polio Campaign in 12 Sudanese States
- Registry ID: `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-viory-video`
- Publisher: viory.video
- Source type: media\_archive
- Registry title: Knocking Out Polio: Door-to-Door Vaccination Across 12 States
- Editorial note: A video media archive item on Viory; its title states that Sudanese health workers are taking a polio vaccination campaign to families' doorsteps across 12 states.
- Original: [Open source]()
A video published by Viory is titled to show Sudanese health workers delivering polio vaccination door-to-door across 12 states.
The item is a video hosted on Viory, a video platform with the domain viory.video. Its title reads 'Knocking out polio! - Sudanese health workers take vaccination campaign to families' doorsteps across 12 states.'
The title indicates the video shows Sudanese health workers conducting a polio vaccination campaign by visiting families at their homes. It specifies that the campaign covered 12 states.
No publication date is given for this video. The contact details listed are for client services, story submissions, and press inquiries at Viory.
#### Takeaways
- Viory published a video titled 'Knocking out polio!' about a Sudanese vaccination campaign.
- The title indicates health workers took the campaign to families' doorsteps.
- The title names 12 states as the campaign's coverage area.
### Sudan starts second polio campaign of 2026, targeting 11 million children
- Registry ID: `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudanindependent-com`
- Publisher: sudanindependent.com
- Source type: news
- Registry title: Sudan Launches National Polio Vaccination Campaign for 11 Million Children
- Editorial note: Arabic news report published 27 October 2026; includes campaign phases, state lists, and WHO statements.
- Original: [Open source]()
A 27 October 2026 Sudan Independent report details the launch of a national polio vaccination campaign with two phases and a first-phase target of 6 million children in 12 states.
Sudan Independent reported on 27 October 2026 that the Ministry of Health launched a vaccination campaign on Monday, 26 October, to protect 11 million children from polio across Sudan, including Darfur states and West Kordofan.
The report states this is the second campaign this year; an April campaign targeted 4.3 million children in Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala, Khartoum, North Kordofan, Sennar, and White Nile.
The Expanded Programme on Immunization announced the national polio response campaign runs from 26 October to 29 October, targeting children from one day to five years old. The acting head of the federal campaign room, Tawaddud Abdullah Al-Khidr, listed the states where the campaign is implemented as Khartoum, Gezira, Sennar, White Nile, North Kordofan, South Kordofan, Kassala, Gedaref, Red Sea, River Nile, Northern, and Blue Nile region.
WHO, in a post on X cited by the article, said the campaign is implemented in two phases, with the first phase targeting 6 million children in 107 localities across 12 states.
#### Takeaways
- Campaign launched 26 October 2026, aiming for 11 million children.
- First phase targets 6 million children in 107 localities across 12 states.
- An April 2026 campaign targeted 4.3 million children in seven states.
- WHO described the campaign as protecting against ongoing outbreak and cross-border transmission.
### Blue Nile begins polio response vaccination in Damazin
- Registry ID: `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-suna-sd`
- Publisher: suna.sd
- Source type: primary\_document
- Registry title: Blue Nile launches national polio response campaign
- Editorial note: SUNA dispatch from Damazin, dated 28 October 2026, covering the Blue Nile state launch; its figures are limited to that state's seven localities through 30 October.
- Original: [Open source]()
Dr Mustafa Gabrallah opens the campaign with UNICEF and WHO support, targeting all children in seven localities from one day to under five years.
On 28 October 2026 in Damazin, Dr Mustafa Gabrallah, director general of the state health ministry and acting minister, launched the national campaign to respond to the polio epidemic, according to SUNA. The launch was supported by UNICEF and WHO and included participation from primary health care, expanded immunization, health promotion and health partners.
The campaign targets all children in the seven localities of Blue Nile state, from one day to under five years old, and continues until 30 October. SUNA reports that implementation uses multiple strategies to ensure targeted children are vaccinated.
The expanded immunization department in Blue Nile completed all administrative and technical arrangements for the campaign, based on early preparations and field supervision.
#### Takeaways
- The Blue Nile launch took place in Damazin on 28 October 2026.
- The campaign covers seven localities and children from one day to under five years, running until 30 October.
- UNICEF and WHO support the campaign, and administrative and technical preparations are complete.
### First day of Sudan polio campaign reaches 1.5 million children
- Registry ID: `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-totelnews-com`
- Publisher: totelnews.com
- Source type: news
- Registry title: First-day polio vaccination count across 12 states
- Editorial note: Totel News report dated 27 October 2026, relaying the federal campaign chamber's first-day count and meeting review; its figures cover day one across 12 states.
- Original: [Open source]()
Federal chamber reports 1,517,994 children vaccinated on Monday 26 October 2026, against a 12-state target of 5,771,389.
On 27 October 2026, Totel News reported from Khartoum that the federal chamber for the national polio response campaign said 1,517,994 boys and girls from one day to five years were vaccinated on the first day, Monday 26 October, out of a total target of 5,771,389 children in 12 states.
The chamber reviewed reports from liaison officers in the specified states: Khartoum, Al Jazirah, Sennar, White Nile, Blue Nile, Red Sea, Gedaref, Kassala, Northern, River Nile, North Kordofan and South Kordofan. The review covered federal supervisors' plans and observations on teams, home visits, geographic coverage, health promotion activities, side effects, case monitoring, supply status and digital coverage.
Acting chamber head Tawaddud Abdullah al-Khidr urged families to vaccinate children in the target ages and said the oral vaccine is safe, effective and free.
#### Takeaways
- 1,517,994 children were vaccinated on the first day, against a total target of 5,771,389 in 12 states.
- The target age is from one day to five years.
- The oral vaccine is described as safe, effective and free.
### Seven-state polio campaign set to begin 27 April 2026
- Registry ID: `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-spokesperson-sd-com`
- Publisher: spokesperson-sd.com
- Source type: official\_position
- Registry title: Federal health ministry announces April polio campaign in seven states
- Editorial note: Official announcement published 24 April 2026 by the federal health ministry's spokesman platform; its figures concern the 27 April four-day campaign in seven states.
- Original: [Open source]()
Federal Ministry of Health says technical and logistical arrangements are complete for a four-day house-to-house drive covering Khartoum, Al Jazirah, Sennar, White Nile, Kassala, Gedaref and North Kordofan.
On 24 April 2026, the Federal Ministry of Health announced completion of technical and logistical arrangements for the national polio epidemic response campaign to start Monday 27 April 2026 and continue four days. The campaign includes seven states: Khartoum, Al Jazirah, Sennar, White Nile, Kassala, Gedaref and North Kordofan, and targets children from one day to five years through house-to-house vaccination.
Expanded immunization program director Ismail al-Adani said the campaign responds to detection of variant poliovirus in neighboring and regional countries including Chad, Ethiopia, Egypt and Pakistan, which increases the risk of transmission to Sudan. He said Sudan has been free of wild poliovirus since 2009, but environmental surveillance still reveals variant and imported viruses in sewage samples.
The campaign targets more than 4.3 million children, and the immunization program is ready to cover all children of Sudan, according to the announcement.
#### Takeaways
- The April campaign starts on 27 April 2026 and runs for four days.
- Seven states are covered: Khartoum, Al Jazirah, Sennar, White Nile, Kassala, Gedaref and North Kordofan.
- The house-to-house drive targets children from one day to five years, with more than 4.3 million children targeted.
- Programme director Ismail al-Adani cited variant poliovirus detections in Chad, Ethiopia, Egypt and Pakistan and said Sudan has been free of wild poliovirus since 2009.
### Gedaref targets 728,963 children in October polio round
- Registry ID: `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-suna-sd-2`
- Publisher: suna.sd
- Source type: primary\_document
- Registry title: Gedaref completes arrangements for October polio round
- Editorial note: SUNA dispatch from Gedaref, dated 21 October 2026, reporting state-level readiness for the October 2026 round; figures are specific to Gedaref state.
- Original: [Open source]()
Expanded immunization director says 1,184 teams will deliver house-to-house vaccination across all localities for four days, supported by WHO and UNICEF.
On 21 October 2026, SUNA reported from Gedaref that the national child polio response campaign, October 2026 round, will begin in the state at the start of the following week. The campaign targets 728,963 children from one day to five years across all localities, with support from WHO and UNICEF.
Expanded immunization program director Nada Awad al-Karim Abdullah said all administrative and technical arrangements are complete for vaccination operations at locality level. The campaign will run four days with 1,184 teams across the state, using house-to-house vaccination and covering markets, government institutions, crossings and sites of displaced persons and refugees.
Gedaref has received 850,000 vaccine doses and started distributing them to localities after training health sector officials. Vaccines are safe and effective for children with no side effects, according to the director.
#### Takeaways
- 728,963 children are targeted in Gedaref from one day to five years across all localities.
- 1,184 teams will vaccinate over four days, using house-to-house delivery and covering markets, government institutions, crossings and displacement and refugee sites.
- The state received 850,000 vaccine doses and began distribution after training health officials.
## Analysis shelf
### Between bullets and outbreaks: epidemic control in Sudan’s forgotten war
- Publisher: link.springer.com
- Type: report
- Why it matters: Documents conflict-driven disruption of health services and epidemic control in Sudan.
- Position note: Research article from Conflict and Health; its perspective is research-based context on health-system disruption, not primary campaign operational data.
- Original: [Open source]()
### Polio in Sudan and other conflict zones: a call for urgent support
- Publisher: thelancet.com
- Type: document
- Why it matters: Offers an advocacy and clinical-public health perspective on polio in conflict-affected settings.
- Position note: Correspondence in The Lancet; carries an urgent-support perspective, not campaign implementation data.
- Original: [Open source]()
### Sustaining Immunization Under the Roar of Cannons: Lessons Learned from Sudan, June 2023 to December 2024
- Publisher: doi.org
- Type: report
- Why it matters: Documents lessons on sustaining immunization during Sudan's conflict, relevant to the campaign's operating context.
- Position note: Research publication with Federal Ministry of Health co-authors; presents documented implementation lessons, not a neutral audit of the October 2026 campaign.
- Original: [Open source]()
## Media shelf
### Knocking out polio! - Sudanese health workers take vaccination campaign to families' doorsteps across 12 states
- Publisher: viory.video
- Type: media
- Why it matters: Visual reporting on door-to-door vaccination activities during the campaign.
- Position note: Linked video reference; not hosted material; reports vaccination outreach in 12 states.
- Original: [Open source]()
### Sudan launches a national campaign to vaccinate 11 million children against polio
- Publisher: sudanindependent.com
- Type: media
- Why it matters: Arabic-language news report on the campaign launch, which it describes as the second polio campaign of the year.
- Position note: Linked news reference published 2026-10-27; not hosted material; reports the campaign as the second of its kind this year.
- Original: [Open source]()
### Start of the national polio response campaign in Blue Nile
- Publisher: suna.sd
- Type: media
- Why it matters: State-level primary account of the Blue Nile campaign launch in Damazin.
- Position note: Linked SUNA report; primary document rather than hosted material; covers the Blue Nile launch on 2026-10-28.
- Original: [Open source]()
## Open questions
- Why does the national first phase end on 29 October while Blue Nile state implementation was reported to continue until 30 October?
- How many variant poliovirus cases or positive samples were recorded between December 2024 and the end of 2025?
- The earlier April 2026 campaign targeted more than 4.3 million children in seven states; how many of those children are included again in the October campaign?
- Was every locality in all 18 states actually reached?
## Source registry
- `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-reliefweb-int` — [reliefweb.int — WHO statement on nationwide polio vaccination of 11 million children in Sudan](); humanitarian; 2026-10-29
- `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-emro-who-int` — [emro.who.int — WHO EMRO page on Federal Ministry of Health-led polio round for over 4.3 million children](); official\_position; date not supplied
- `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudan-un-org` — [sudan.un.org — UN Sudan page on nationwide polio vaccination of over 4.3 million children](); official\_position; date not supplied
- `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-link-springer-com` — [link.springer.com — Conflict and Health article: Between bullets and outbreaks — epidemic control in Sudan's forgotten war](); research; date not supplied
- `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-thelancet-com` — [thelancet.com — Lancet Correspondence: Polio in Sudan and Conflict Zones Needs Urgent Support](); research; date not supplied
- `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-doi-org` — [doi.org — Research Paper: Sustaining Immunization in Sudan During Conflict, June 2023–December 2024](); research; date not supplied
- `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-viory-video` — [viory.video — Knocking Out Polio: Door-to-Door Vaccination Across 12 States](); media\_archive; date not supplied
- `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-sudanindependent-com` — [sudanindependent.com — Sudan Launches National Polio Vaccination Campaign for 11 Million Children](); news; date not supplied
- `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-suna-sd` — [suna.sd — Blue Nile launches national polio response campaign](); primary\_document; date not supplied
- `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-totelnews-com` — [totelnews.com — First-day polio vaccination count across 12 states](); news; date not supplied
- `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-spokesperson-sd-com` — [spokesperson-sd.com — Federal health ministry announces April polio campaign in seven states](); official\_position; date not supplied
- `src-sudan-polio-vaccination-2026-suna-sd-2` — [suna.sd — Gedaref completes arrangements for October polio round](); primary\_document; date not supplied