The article on the news of the expanded polio vaccination program in the Democratic Republic of Congo allowed me to discover a worrying situation but also important efforts to remedy it. Indeed, since May 8, 2017, the DRC has been facing a polio epidemic, with more than 800 confirmed and paralyzed cases, mainly children. This situation requires national mobilization to eradicate the disease.
Correspondence from the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) announcing the second phase of the vaccination campaign in 15 provinces demonstrates the commitment of the Congolese authorities in the fight against poliomyelitis. Vaccinators will go door to door to vaccinate all children under 5 years old. This initiative aims to vaccinate 8 million children and is part of the global initiative to eradicate polio.
The first phase of the campaign, which took place at the end of July, was a success with the vaccination of more than 5 million children in 11 provinces. Now the objective is to continue this dynamic by covering the remaining provinces, including Kasaï central, Haut Uélé, South Kivu, North Kivu and many others.
It is important to emphasize that polio is a contagious viral disease that can cause irreversible paralysis. This is why vaccination is crucial to protect children and stop the spread of the virus. The national vaccination program in the DRC, in collaboration with international partners, is doing everything possible to break the chain of transmission of wild poliovirus throughout the national territory.
This new phase of the vaccination campaign is therefore another step towards the eradication of polio in the DRC. It demonstrates the authorities’ desire to protect the health of children and offer them a polio-free future. It is essential to support these efforts by raising awareness about the importance of vaccination and encouraging parents to vaccinate their children.
In conclusion, the second phase of the polio vaccination campaign in the DRC constitutes an important step towards the eradication of this disease. The Congolese authorities and their partners are fully committed to this fight, taking concrete measures to protect the health of children. It is crucial to support these initiatives and raise awareness of the importance of vaccination to ensure a better future for future generations.