Papua New Guinea officially joined the global community in observing World Immunization Week 2026, as it launched Round Three (3) of Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIA) of the Polio Campaign, that began in 2025, at the Metoreia Urban Health Centre in Port Moresby yesterday.
Speaking at the event, Acting CEO for NCD Provincial Health Authority (PHA), Mr. Gilbert Ori highlighted the city’s health authority’s commitment to providing support to crucial public health programs such as the immunization program.
“Immunization remains one of the most cost-effective strategies in disease prevention,” he stated.
The immunization program includes providing accessible immunization services at the health facilities in NCD, including private clinics and hospital and conducting regular mobile and outreach immunization services to reach unimmunized children especially in squatter settlements.
Also present at the event was Dr. Masahiro Zakoji, the country representative for the World Health Organization.
In his remarks, he noted that over the past 50 years, vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives from diseases such as Measles, Polio, Ebola, HPV, Malaria and other diseases.
He went on to say this week is an opportunity to celebrate what science and teamwork have achieved. At the same time, it should remind us about the goals yet to be reached through immunization.
He congratulated the leadership of the National Department of Health for its effort in managing the Polio outbreak that began in May 2025. Dr. Zakoji also extended his appreciation for campaign partners including the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) and the governments of Australia and Japan for their continued support.
“Following expert advice from the Technical Advisory Group, this third Round of immunization will focus on 4 provinces- NCD, Central, Enga and Morobe - with the aim to vaccinate 90 % of children under 5 in each province, and this is the only way to stop the outbreak,” he further stated.
In closing, he thanked the community leaders, healthcare workers and partners, describing their efforts as the engine with which the country can move forward.
