DR Congo Rolls Out Urgent Polio Vaccination
(MENAFN) Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began the second phase of a large-scale polio immunization effort on Thursday, aiming to reach more than 10 million children across the country.
The initiative comes in response to 25 confirmed cases of circulating variant poliovirus types 1 and 2 recorded in 2024, prompting heightened concern among health experts.
According to a statement by the World Health Organization (WHO), despite prior interventions, transmission of poliovirus type 2 continues to be detected in multiple provinces—putting vulnerable populations at serious risk.
Between June 26 and 28, children from birth to five years old are set to receive the vaccine in the provinces of Kinshasa, Tanganyika, Haut-Lomami, Kongo Central, and Haut-Katanga. In Tshopo and Maniema, the vaccination campaign will also extend to include children up to age 15.
“To interrupt transmission and protect children, there is an urgent need to boost population immunity through both routine immunization and mass vaccination campaigns,” the WHO said.
The organization noted that 13 million doses will be administered, supported by 60,000 vaccination teams mobilized for the operation.
Elisabeth Mukamba, who coordinates the nation’s Polio Emergency Operations Committee, underscored the risk to children in areas with low vaccination coverage.
“It develops and can lead to paralysis. So, we have joint efforts. Vaccinating a child with good immunity also protects other children,” she said.
Mukamba said she believes the country is making strong progress in halting the spread of poliovirus, though she warned that continued diligence is essential.
Government officials have called on parents, local leaders, and stakeholders to collaborate closely in expanding vaccine outreach and helping eliminate the virus nationwide.
According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), global polio cases have dropped by over 99.9% since the campaign’s launch in 1988. However, the virus has not been fully eradicated.
As of early 2025, wild poliovirus type 1 continues to circulate in Afghanistan and Pakistan, while outbreaks of vaccine-derived poliovirus remain a persistent threat—especially across regions of Africa and the Middle East.
The WHO reported that in 2024 and early 2025, countries including Nigeria, Angola, Ethiopia, Niger, South Sudan, Yemen, Chad, and Algeria experienced higher numbers of vaccine-derived polio cases compared to recent years.
Polio is a highly contagious viral illness that predominantly affects children under five. It spreads through contact with the feces or saliva of infected individuals.
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