How Egypt succeeded in containing infectious diseases after vaccinating more than 99% of children

CAIRO - 7 May 2026: The world celebrates World Immunization Week annually, an occasion that underscores the vital role of vaccines in healthcare, contributing to saving millions of lives each year and reducing the spread of infectious diseases.

 

The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population continues its efforts to strengthen the immunization system by providing vaccines free of charge and achieving coverage rates among the highest globally.

 

The Ministry affirmed that vaccines have saved 150 million lives worldwide over the past 50 years, confirming their importance as the first line of defense against disease.

 

Official data, according to reports from the Ministry of Health and Population, indicates that Egypt has achieved very high coverage rates for routine childhood immunizations, ranging between 95% and 99%.

 

This reflects the efficiency of the national immunization program and its widespread reach across all governorates.

 

The immunization journey begins from the moment of birth, with the child receiving essential doses such as those for BCG and Hepatitis B. The immunization schedule continues during the first few months, including seven doses of the polio vaccine up to 18 months of age, to ensure complete protection.

 

This high level of coverage didn't happen by chance, but rather as a result of an integrated system relying on thousands of health units and health offices, along with trained medical teams that reach remote areas.

 

The Ministry also conducts regular national vaccination campaigns targeting children from one day old up to five years old, to ensure that every child receives the vaccine, even if they missed a previous dose.

 

Reports from the Ministry of Health revealed that the total number of doses administered in just one year exceeded 50 million, reflecting the scale of the efforts made to protect the community against infectious diseases.

 

These efforts have contributed to significant achievements, such as declaring Egypt polio-free since 2006, and maintaining control over diseases like measles, rubella, hepatitis B, and malaria.

 

Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, said, "The importance of these figures is not limited to statistics; they reflect a direct impact on public health. Vaccination programs have led to a significant reduction in infection and mortality rates from infectious diseases and have contributed to achieving what is known as 'herd immunity,' which protects the most vulnerable groups, such as newborns and the elderly."

 

As part of ongoing development, he emphasized that the Ministry is working on digitizing the vaccination system to ensure accurate recording of doses and follow-up for children who miss their vaccinations. He added that awareness campaigns are also being intensified to counter rumors and enhance public confidence in vaccines.