Maniema Province, Democratic Republic of Congo – A polio vaccination campaign launched on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in the Maniema province, aiming to protect children from the debilitating viral disease. This initiative is particularly crucial given recent case numbers and the ongoing risk of paralysis in young children.
The official launch ceremony took place at the Basoko market, in the Kasuku commune of Kindu, with the interim governor, Georges Kasongo, initiating the effort. Governor Kasongo urged parents to ensure their children, aged 0 to 59 months, receive the vaccine. The campaign will run from February 28 to March 2, 2026, across all 18 health zones within the province.
The vaccine is being administered free of charge, directly to individuals in their homes, making it accessible to a wider population. Health authorities emphasize the highly contagious nature of polio and its potential to cause irreversible paralysis in children. Polio remains a significant public health concern globally, and vaccination is a key strategy for eradication.
In 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo recorded 15 confirmed cases of polio, with 5 of those cases originating in Maniema – representing one-third of the national total. This new campaign aims to bolster protection for children and curb the spread of the disease within the province. The concentrated effort reflects a proactive approach to disease control in a region where polio continues to pose a threat.
According to Congoquotidien.com, a previous campaign aimed to vaccinate over 655,000 children aged 0 to 59 months, prompted by two confirmed cases in the Samba and Kabambare zones. The need for continued vaccination efforts underscores the challenges in achieving complete eradication.
Another report from Congo-Press.com details a fourth phase of the vaccination campaign, launched on December 4, 2024, targeting more than 600,000 children under five years old. The government provincial allocated over 2,000,000 FC for awareness initiatives related to this campaign.
