Article :
The second phase of the polio vaccination campaign was launched today in Butembo, in the Provincial Health Division. This campaign aims to vaccinate 924,824 children aged 0 to 59 months and is supervised by the Expanded Vaccination Program (PEV), led by the Congolese government’s Ministry of Health.
According to Dr. Bernardin Siviholya, head of the EPI, this campaign is part of routine activities aimed at protecting children against diseases with epidemic potential. He emphasizes that this phase aims to strengthen herd immunity against polio, a dangerous disease that can cause lifelong disabilities.
The population of the Butembo Provincial Health Division is approximately 4,893,248 inhabitants, with a target of nearly one million children to be vaccinated. The city’s mayor, Mowa Baeki Telly Roger, stressed the importance of this campaign and called on all parents to receive the teams of vaccinators who will go from door to door.
The vaccination campaign will last three days, from Thursday October 12 to Saturday October 14, with a recovery period for children who have not been vaccinated during this period.
Poliomyelitis is a contagious disease that can cause serious complications in children. It is therefore essential to contribute to the eradication of this disease by ensuring adequate vaccination coverage.
This vaccination campaign is an important step in the fight against poliomyelitis in the DRC. It demonstrates the commitment of authorities and health stakeholders to protect the health of children and ensure a polio-free future.