Polio vaccination in the DRC: a campaign to protect our children
The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) of the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially launched the second phase of its polio vaccination campaign in Kinshasa. This campaign aims to protect more than 2.5 million children under the age of 5 in the Congolese capital.
Poliomyelitis, commonly known as “buka buka” in the DRC, is a highly contagious disease that can cause sudden paralysis of one or more limbs in children. It is mainly transmitted by contact with contaminated stools and generally affects children who are not vaccinated or whose vaccination is incomplete. Unfortunately, there is no cure for polio, but vaccination remains the safest and most effective way to protect our children and ensure a better future for them.
Since the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative almost 30 years ago, significant progress has been made in the fight against the disease. Vaccination has reduced cases of wild poliovirus by 99%. However, the DRC remains the most affected African country with more than 800 reported cases of types 1 and 2 polio.
This new vaccination campaign, which will take place from September 28 to 30, will cover the 24 municipalities of Kinshasa. The objective is to massively vaccinate children and thus reverse the trend in the spread of the disease. It is crucial that all members of the community commit to protecting our children from polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
In conclusion, the polio vaccination campaign in the DRC is an essential initiative to protect the health and future of our children. Vaccination remains the best tool to prevent this disease and avoid other preventable diseases. Let us all commit to supporting and promoting vaccination to ensure a healthier future for future generations in the DRC.