Lae & Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea — June 2025
As Papua New Guinea grapples with its first confirmed polio cases in over two decades, health teams across Lae and Port Moresby are moving fast. The government has launched an emergency immunisation campaign targeting children under the age of five, the most vulnerable group in this sudden outbreak.
Following the World Health Organization’s May 16 declaration of a national polio outbreak, frontline health workers, volunteers, and partner organizations have been deployed across both cities in a race against time.
The Ground Operation in Lae
In Lae, the epicenter of the recent outbreak, door-to-door vaccination teams are working tirelessly, navigating narrow streets, settlements, and remote neighborhoods to reach every child. The goal is clear: ensure that no child is left unprotected.
Dr. Salome Wapi, leading the Morobe Province response unit, explains, “We’re focusing on high-density and hard-to-reach areas where immunisation rates are lowest. The challenge is not just logistics—it’s trust. We’re talking directly to families, explaining why these drops matter.”
Health teams are also setting up temporary immunisation booths at schools, churches, and community centers, aiming to remove barriers and reach children whose parents may not visit health clinics regularly.
Mobilisation in Port Moresby
In the capital city, Port Moresby, a similar story is unfolding. The Department of Health, in partnership with UNICEF and WHO, has launched urban immunisation hubs across key suburbs. From Hohola to Gerehu, mobile clinics are making stops in parks, markets, and settlements to deliver oral polio vaccines to thousands of children.
Community leaders and local churches have been instrumental in rallying families. Pastor Elijah Kewe from North Waigani said, “This is not just about medicine—it’s about protecting our future. We’re urging everyone in our congregation to bring their children.”
Vaccinating Under Pressure
Vaccinators are racing against time—not just to stop the spread of the virus, but also to rebuild public confidence in immunisation, which has waned in recent years due to misinformation and lack of outreach.
UNICEF’s PNG representative, Sarah Thompson, shared: “Our biggest concern is that many parents still don’t understand the danger polio presents. One case is enough to spread quickly in communities with low immunity.”
To counter this, public health teams have launched awareness campaigns through radio, social media, and village loudspeakers, urging parents to vaccinate their children immediately.
The Numbers So Far
- Over 40,000 children under five are being targeted in Lae and Port Moresby combined.
- Nearly 800 health workers and volunteers are on the ground.
- The campaign aims to reach 90% coverage within two weeks, followed by additional rounds in coming months.
Hope Amid Crisis
While the re-emergence of polio has sent shockwaves across the nation, the response so far shows resilience and unity. With coordinated action and strong community participation, PNG has a fighting chance to stop the virus in its tracks.
For parents and caregivers, the message remains urgent:
Vaccinate now. Protect for life.
Stay tuned to the PNG Bulletin for real-time updates, health alerts, and information on where to get your child vaccinated.
