The second phase of the polio vaccination campaign has just started in Butembo, Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative, launched by the Provincial Health Division (DPS) and supported by the city mayor, aims to vaccinate 924,824 children aged 0 to 59 months.
The Expanded Vaccination Program (EPI), which is part of the Congolese Ministry of Health, is in charge of implementing this campaign. Dr Bernardin Siviholya, head of the EPI, emphasizes the importance of vaccinating children from an early age to protect them against potentially epidemic diseases. He explains that the EPI carries out routine vaccinations to combat different diseases from birth until the age of 5 years.
The polio vaccination campaign aims to strengthen the collective immunity of children in the Butembo region. The city’s mayor, Mowa Baeki Telly Roger, emphasizes that polio is a dangerous disease that can handicap children for their entire lives. He calls on parents to welcome the teams of vaccinators who will go door to door to administer vaccines.
The vaccination campaign is scheduled to last three days, from Thursday October 12 to Saturday October 14, with subsequent catch-up days for children who could not have been vaccinated during this period.
This second phase of the polio vaccination campaign is therefore crucial to protect the health of children in Butembo. This is an essential step in the fight against this disease and in promoting public health in the region.
In conclusion, it is essential to raise awareness among parents about the importance of vaccination against polio and to support government initiatives such as this campaign in Butembo. Children’s health is a major issue, and vaccination is an effective way to prevent the spread of serious diseases.