Egypt launches massive 4-day polio vaccination campaign nationwide

The campaign aims to vaccinate 16 million children against the disease, the minister said, and targets both Egyptian and non-Egyptian resident children aged five years and under.

Egypt has more than 9 million migrants and host community members from 133 countries, according to a statement released by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in August, amounting to nearly 8 percent of the country’s total population -- which stands at 104 million.

The aim is to raise herd immunity in children and maintain a polio-free Egypt, the minister confirmed.

The country has been declared polio-free since 2006 in accordance with the standards set by the World Health Organisation, with the last case recorded in 2004.

The campaign will run until Wednesday, with possibility of an extension to guarantee that all targeted children receive vaccination, the minister said.