In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a massive polio vaccination campaign is underway to protect around 24 million children under 5 years old. This initiative, led by the Expanded Program on Immunization in collaboration with Unicef, aims to eradicate this debilitating disease by 2025.
Despite the challenges encountered, the Congolese government displays a strong commitment to the eradication of polio. Through the joint efforts of various partners, the country has recorded significant progress, going from more than 500 cases in 2022 to less than 250 cases in 2024. However, the detection of two cases of wild poliovirus in 2024 highlights the need to strengthen the surveillance and awareness to permanently eliminate this disease.
Mobilization of resources and efforts to ensure optimal vaccination coverage is essential to prevent the spread of poliomyelitis and guarantee the health of Congolese children. This vaccination campaign demonstrates the continued commitment of authorities and partners to protect the population against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Together, the DRC is moving towards its goal of eliminating polio and securing a healthier future for its youngest citizens.