The campaign will run from 11-14 December and aims to vaccinate both Egyptian and non-Egyptian children residing in the country free of charge, said Hossam Abdel-Gaffar, a spokesperson for the ministry.

He further stressed the importance of the periodic campaign to keep children safe from the disease and maintain the country’s polio-free status.

Egypt 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.

Head of the ministry’s Preventive Medicine Department Amr Kandil confirmed that vaccination will take place across the country in the ministry’s offices, health centres and medical units.

In addition, units will also be set up in large squares, train and metro stations and bus stops and also near mosques, churches, sports clubs, markets and public parks, he said.

Kandil added that there will also be medical personnel going door to door from 8am to 5pm to ensure that all children receive the vaccination.

The spokesperson added that the medical team responsible consists of 90,000 highly trained and well-equipped individuals to carry out the campaign.

Egypt’s last polo campaigns were implemented in March 2022 and December 2021.