The second phase of the polio vaccination campaign was launched in Butembo, Democratic Republic of Congo, with the aim of vaccinating 924,824 children aged 0 to 59 months. This initiative is led by the Expanded Vaccination Program (EPI), a government program aimed at protecting children and pregnant women against diseases with epidemic potential.
Dr Bernardin Siviholya, head of the EPI, underlines the importance of vaccination from birth until the age of 5 to fight against many diseases. Poliomyelitis is a dangerous disease that can cause lifelong disabilities, hence the need to strengthen the herd immunity of children against this disease.
The mayor of Butembo, Mowa Baeki Telly Roger, also stressed the importance of this vaccination campaign and called on parents to receive the teams of vaccinators who will go door to door. He recalls that poliomyelitis is a contagious and dangerous disease which can have serious consequences, and therefore encourages the participation of parents in this campaign.
The vaccination campaign will take place over three days, with a recovery period for children who could not be vaccinated on time. This initiative aims to protect the population and contribute to the eradication of poliomyelitis.
It is crucial to remember the importance of vaccination to prevent diseases and protect the health of children. Polio is a preventable disease, and vaccination campaigns are essential to eliminate this disease once and for all. Thanks to the commitment of the authorities and the active participation of parents, the DRC is on the path to eradicating polio and protecting the health of its children.