The Expanded Vaccination Program, branch of the city of Mbandaka (PEV) considers itself to have been successful in its polio vaccination campaign which took place from October 10 to 12, 2024 in all health zones of the province. According to the partial data provided, 594,583 children were vaccinated, or 98.4% out of 604,222 identified.
The EPI vaccinators carried out the door-to-door strategy to meet children aged 0 to 59 months, or 5 years of age, to whom they administered the innovative nOPV2 type vaccine orally.
“Our target was 604,222, encoding continues in other health zones and the data will reach us online, but we have a serious connection problem. This is why we have vaccinated 594,583 children so far, which gives vaccination coverage of 98.4%. We have not experienced any stock shortages during vaccination, nor reluctance among the majority of parents, so the objectives have been achieved and we hope that if the coding or reporting is complete, we will have our 100%. Rufin Efolote Isesa, logistician at PEV, Mbandaka branch, told ACTUALITE.CD.
He spoke of the difficulties encountered during vaccination, including the forced postponement of the vaccination date; bad weather; and the lack of communication following the poor connection of telephone networks.
To maintain the maximum quality of vaccines in the 18 health zones of the Equateur province, the Mbandaka EPI branch used passive containers, including coolers and vaccine holders between 2°C (35°F) and 8 °C (45°F).
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with other technical and financial partners in the health sector is supporting the DRC in various vaccination campaigns against polio and other epidemics. It supports the vaccine cold chain by renting freezers and refrigerators; ensures the transport of vials and the quality control of vaccines.
Grace GUKA
Health
