Icelandic companies and individuals participated in the fight against polio by supporting one of the largest vaccination campaigns in history. The companies and individuals donated 275,000 USD to the campaign in Nigeria through UNICEF.

UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international and non-governmental organizations lead the campaign. The Icelandic government donated 100,000 USD to the campaign through WHO.

The total donation from Iceland was 375,000 USD equivalent to the cost of vaccinating 300 thousand children, the total number of the Icelandic population.

Donors to the polio vaccination campaign in Nigeria were: Hreinn Loftsson hrl., Lýsi ltd., the Icelandic Order of Freemasons, Eimskip, Samherji, Klofningur, Icelandic Sales Agency ltd., Salka-Seafood, Norlandia, Ice-Group and Félagsbúið Miðhrauni.

Operational cost, cold chain equipment and training

The polio vaccination campaign in Nigeria was extremely vast and complex in operation. The funds from Iceland were used for three parts of the operation; for logistics costs, e.g. fuel and transportation, procurement of 18 solar refrigerators and deployment of technical staff to facilitate preparation and implementation.

Over 90% of the targeted 15.3 million children aged 0-59 months were immunized during the first round in all implementing states, mostly in the North East and North West zones of Nigeria, the highest risk areas.

Important achievements

In the spring 2007, it was clear that important achievements had been attained in fighting the spread of polio in Nigeria. 75% of all polio cases in 2006 were diagnosed in the first six months. Over 75% fewer cases had been diagnosed in the first three months in 2007 compared to the first three months in 2006.

By the end of 2007, all children under five in Nigeria – 40 million – had received vaccinations against polio. What is at stake is the unique chance of stopping polio transmission in Nigeria and prevention of its spread to other countries, in and beyond Africa.