The Democratic Republic of the Congo is mobilizing against poliomyelitis. Thus, the first phase of the vaccination campaign against this disease was launched on Thursday, June 8, 2023. The Butembo zone chief doctor communicated to the mayor of this city, MOWA BAEKI TELY Roger, the figures concerning this disabling disease for the children. 924,824 children, whose age varies between 0 and 59 months, are concerned by this vaccination.
In the words of the auxiliary doctor, Bernardin Siviholya, poliomyelitis is to be taken very seriously and should not be considered as a banal epidemic. This disease, caused by a virus called wild polio virus, has already been declared free of circulation in our country. Nevertheless, the vaccine virus continues to be present, which explains the succession of viruses from year to year. The DRC has already suffered 22 epidemics of this disease, of which 19 are indigenous, 2 come from Angola and one from CAR.
It is in this context that providers will carry out a door-to-door operation to vaccinate children in three days, from Thursday June 8 to Saturday June 10. Two additional days of sweeping will make it possible to reach children who have not could not be achieved. Indeed, poliomyelitis leads to permanent disability that affects the quality of life of children. It is for this reason that the government is mobilizing to offer these vaccination campaigns which make it possible to protect the youngest from this disease which handicaps them for life.
As a reminder, poliomyelitis is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Symptoms can range from mild to severe paralysis, sometimes even death. Only vaccination can protect children.
The vaccination campaign is part of efforts to promote the health of Congolese populations. It is an initiative to highlight, insofar as it protects children and will mark a turning point in the fight against poliomyelitis in the DRC.