Children at risk as poliovirus confirmed in Papua New Guinea
After 25 years of being polio-free, Papua New Guinea (PNG) has confirmed that the poliovirus has been detected in two children in Lae, the country’s second largest city.
Polio is a virus that mostly affects children under five, and there is no cure, only prevention through vaccination. Yet, low routine immunisation coverage has left many children in PNG vulnerable.
Polio can cause lifelong paralysis, especially in young children, and the virus can move quietly from person to person, even before they show signs of sickness. While no children have yet shown symptoms of paralysis, the confirmation of detections in healthy children is clear evidence of community transmission, which has triggered a national emergency response to protect every child across the country.
UNICEF is working alongside the Government of PNG and local partners to stop the virus in its tracks and ensure all children are protected. But we need your help to do more. Please donate today to ensure every child is vaccinated against preventable diseases.
Vaccines act as a shield, protecting children and newborn babies from life-threatening diseases and saving up to 4.4 million lives every year.
Despite decades of progress, there has been a backslide in vaccinating children against deadly or debilitating diseases, which is lower than pre-pandemic levels. Globally, 1 in 5 children have missed one or all of their routine vaccinations, leaving them vulnerable to a range of preventable diseases like measles, polio, tetanus, tuberculosis and diphtheria – diseases that children need help fighting against.
Tragically, this is a story of inequity, poverty, disadvantaged communities and unempowered women, many of whom live in countries affected by conflict and instability.
Around the world, we are already seeing the reemergence of preventable diseases which, for decades, UNICEF has fought tirelessly to control. From polio in Gaza to measles in Burkina Faso and diphtheria in Niger. Plus, outbreaks of diseases like mpox and cholera are wreaking havoc on vulnerable communities already facing high rates of malnutrition and displacement.
Failure to protect children against diseases can lead to preventable deaths and children suffering from lifelong disabilities. We can prevent this. Together, we must act. Please donate today.
Vaccinate Children. Save Lives.
Help protect children against preventable diseases with lifesaving vaccines.
Urgent polio vaccination campaign in Gaza
Amid a humanitarian crisis, UNICEF and our partners are racing against time to vaccinate over 640,000 children against polio in the Gaza Strip.
The highly contagious and life-threatening disease hasn’t been seen in Gaza for over 25 years, but tragically, the first case was detected in an unvaccinated 10-month-old baby, prompting the Ministry of Health in Gaza to declare the Strip a polio outbreak zone in July 2024.
UNICEF is helping to facilitate a large-scale immunisation campaign, delivering 1.6 million doses of the polio vaccine, with an additional 400,000 doses expected in late September. To ensure the vaccines are stored at the required temperature from manufacture to vaccination, we have provided cold chain equipment, including cold storage facilities, refrigerated fridges and cold boxes.
Over 50%
As the largest buyer of vaccines in the world, UNICEF vaccinates almost half the world’s children under five each year
How will my donation help children?
Your generous donation can help us vaccinate children against debilitating and life-threatening diseases:
- $90 could help provide close to 130 doses of vaccinations against measles, one of the biggest killers of children under five.
- $135 could help provide 625 doses of polio vaccines, to help protect children from this deadly, but preventable disease.
- $500 could help provide 1,588 doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine.
- 80¢on average, 80 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went directly to helping children in need, including long-term programs, emergency response and community education.
- 14¢on average, 14 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went to essential fundraising costs that helped us generate more impact for children.
- 6¢on average, 6 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went towards our admin costs, such as keeping your personal data safe.
How do we use each dollar donated?
Your generous gift will help support UNICEF's work for vaccinating children and for all children in need around the world.
Vaccinate Children. Save Lives.
Help protect children against preventable diseases with lifesaving vaccines.