Oluwatobi Adu 
BRAZZAVILLE, Congo – African women football stars have joined global health partners to launch the Kick Out Polio campaign, urging governments, communities and families to strengthen polio vaccination and protect every child from the preventable disease.
The campaign, announced on Wednesday by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, brings together footballers, youth advocates and public figures to rally support for immunisation and sustain momentum towards ending polio across the continent.
Health partners say the initiative comes at a critical time, with detections of all types of variant poliovirus falling by 50 per cent during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
Despite the progress, they warn that conflict, displacement, misinformation, weak health systems and declining funding continue to leave millions of children vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.
The campaign also recognises the critical role women play in immunisation by leading vaccination teams, building trust within communities and reaching children in remote and conflict-affected areas.
Generation Zero Polio, a network of youth advocates from West and Central Africa, is also preparing an open letter urging African leaders to strengthen political commitment and increase investment in vaccination programmes.
WHO Regional Emergency Director for Africa, Dr Marie Belizaire, says eradicating polio is about securing the future of African children.
“Finishing polio is not simply about ending one disease. It is an investment in the health, potential and future of an entire generation.”
UNICEF Deputy Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Ramou Ndure, says ending polio requires collective action beyond governments.
“Governments and institutions alone cannot end polio. It will be the people of Africa who finish the job. That is the spirit of the Kick Out Polio campaign.”
Rotary International President Olayinka Babalola says every child deserves the opportunity to thrive free from preventable diseases, while health content creator Dr Ayodele Renner urges healthcare professionals, athletes, musicians and influencers to use their platforms to counter vaccine misinformation.
Youth advocate Noella Djouku Nguetchuissi and polio survivor Oeurdice Mukeba Mwe Tshiama also call for sustained investment to ensure no child suffers from a disease that can be prevented through vaccination.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius