Mogadishu – Somalia has taken a major step in safeguarding child health with the official introduction of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) and Rotavirus (Rota) vaccines into its national immunization program.
The new rollout aims to combat two of the deadliest childhood illnesses — pneumonia and severe diarrhea — which remain leading causes of under-five mortality across the country.
Health officials say the PCV vaccine will protect children from pneumococcal infections responsible for pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, while the Rotavirus vaccine will significantly reduce cases of severe diarrhea, which continue to claim thousands of young lives annually.
“This is a milestone in our fight against preventable child deaths. With these vaccines now part of routine immunization, every Somali child will have a better chance of reaching their fifth birthday,” said a senior Ministry of Health official during the launch ceremony.
The integration of the vaccines will be coordinated through health centers nationwide, with special focus on hard-to-reach rural and displacement-affected communities. International partners, including UNICEF, Gavi, and the World Health Organization, are supporting the initiative through cold-chain expansion, training of health workers, and public awareness campaigns.
Parents are being urged to ensure their children complete the full vaccination schedule to guarantee maximum protection.
Health experts estimate that the move could save thousands of young lives every year and accelerate Somalia’s progress toward global child survival targets.
With this strategic expansion of its immunization program, Somalia signals a renewed commitment to ensuring that no child dies from a disease that can be prevented with a simple vaccine.