Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is supporting a vaccination campaign in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to reach “zero-dose” children. The initiative aims to provide critical immunizations against measles, rubella, and polio to children who have not previously received any vaccines.
Targeting Zero-Dose Children
The primary objective of the campaign in the DRC is to identify and vaccinate children categorized as zero-dose. In public health terms, zero-dose children are those who have not received any routine vaccinations, leaving them highly susceptible to preventable diseases.
According to the campaign’s goals, this effort is designed as a “catch-up” mechanism to ensure these vulnerable populations receive the necessary protection to prevent outbreaks within the region.
Vaccines Included in the Initiative
The current health drive focuses on three specific diseases to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality in the DRC:
- Measles
- Rubella
- Polio
