Malawi has mounted a nationwide emergency response to a sudden outbreak of polio, administering vaccines to around 1.3 million children in just four days in an effort to curb the spread of the paralysing virus. The outbreak, confirmed after the poliovirus was detected in sewage samples in Blantyre, has put renewed pressure on global efforts to eliminate polio and highlighted the deep challenges posed by misinformation, dwindling donor funding and public distrust.
The government, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), expedited the campaign after a seven-year-old boy became the only confirmed clinical case amid the environmental detections. Malawi had not recorded a wild polio case since 2022, but the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus — a variant that can emerge in areas with low immunisation coverage — was found circulating. Immediate action was deemed essential because even a single case can signal silent transmission in communities with poor sanitation and low vaccine uptake.
Emergency vaccine supplies were flown into the southern African nation by the WHO, and health authorities mobilised an extensive immunisation drive across multiple districts, reaching about 97 per cent of targeted children under the supplementary immunisation activities outlined by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Plans are underway to reach the remaining children and conduct further rounds later in the year.
Despite the rapid response, authorities acknowledge formidable obstacles in convincing all families to accept the vaccine. Interviews conducted during door-to-door visits by health workers in Blantyre’s Ndirande township revealed a stark split: some parents were eager to protect their children, while others either knew little about polio or were wary of further vaccinations. Health workers, community leaders and social mobilisers have worked to counter scepticism, at times with limited success, and have succeeded in persuading many initially hesitant households to agree to vaccination.
Misinformation circulating on social media and through other channels has significantly undermined public confidence. UNICEF polio programme managers reported instances where scientific facts seemed to make little impression compared with endorsements from local influencers once they urged vaccination. The rapid spread of false information online has made it harder for outreach teams to reach communities before rumours take hold, complicating efforts to build trust.
Experts warn that the persistence of polio in parts of the world, particularly in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where wild poliovirus remains endemic, means it can re-emerge in countries like Malawi if immunisation gaps persist. The global eradication campaign has celebrated dramatic progress since the disease’s near-elimination decades ago, but sporadic outbreaks and low coverage in vulnerable regions threaten that hard-won advance.
Adding to the strain is a significant funding shortfall facing the GPEI, which has seen contributions decline as major donors, including Britain and the United States, cut aid spending. The initiative is reported to be facing a funding gap of more than $1.3 billion for its 2022–29 strategy, diminishing its ability to respond at scale to outbreaks like the one in Malawi. This comes as Malawi itself relies on donors for around 55 per cent of its health spending, making the country’s health system particularly vulnerable.
Malawi’s health officials have stressed that while funds are limited, they remain committed to protecting children and preventing future disability from the disease, which can lead to permanent paralysis or death, particularly among young children. They have emphasised the importance of coordinated logistics and community reporting, weekly testing in some areas, and ongoing engagement with stakeholders to maintain momentum against the virus.
At health centres like Malabada in Ndirande, the response has brought visible relief to families who chose vaccination. Some parents readily brought their children to clinics, believing the vaccine offers critical protection. Yet even as Malawi battles to control this outbreak, health authorities and global partners say sustained community engagement and reliable support are essential to finally consign polio to history.
