DR CONGO / POLIO IMMUNIZATION GOMA

A three-day polio immunization campaign last month in the DRC aimed to reach over 11 million children under five exceeded its target in most Eastern DRC provinces. UNICEF

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:20
• Production Date: 23 November 2010
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND - UNICEF
• Subject Topical: HEALTH; DISEASE PREVENTION; DISEASE CONTROL
• Geographic Subject: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
• MAMS Id: U101123i

Description

STORY: DR CONGO / POLIO IMMUNIZATION GOMA
TRT: 2.20
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: FRENCH /NATS

DATELINE: 28 OCTOBER 2010, GOMA, DR CONGO

Shotlist

1. Various shots, children being vaccinated
2. SOUNDBITE (French) Justine Zawadi, mother:
”A mother should have her child vaccinated if she loves them really, to ensure they have good health”
3. Various shots, vaccination campaign
4. SOUNDBITE (French) Felicien Molima, UNICEF North Kivu/Maniema Head of office:
“UNICEF fights against such rumours, such reluctance, with usual communication strategies such a strong advocacy for the different leaders to understand the importance of the vaccination, but also towards the different NGOs, women’s associations to better convey the message within communities. “
5. Various shots, vaccination
6. SOUNDBITE (French), Valerian Mbalu Twirandi, North Kivu Provincial Health Minister”
“In the North Kivu Province, there are still so many active armed groups, especially in the Territories of Walikale, Rutshuru and in South Lubero. So with partners, we managed to sensitize all those armed groups for a truce, in order to vaccinate children.”
7. Various shots, vaccination campaign

Storyline

These women queue up to have their children protected against the wild polio virus. With the campaign, DRC aims to reach over 11 million children aged between 0 and 59 months. Taking these two drops of oral polio vaccine once or many times before the age of five, can prevent a child from being paralyzed for life or dying of the disease.

SOUNDBITE (French) Justine Zawadi, Mother:
”A mother should have her child vaccinated if she loves them, to ensure they have good health.’”

In DRC, 30 cases of the wild polio virus have been registered in October 2010, for only three in 2009. UNICEF provides the 12 million Vaccine doses necessary for this campaign, and ensures a good social mobilization. For many parents are still reluctant to vaccinate their children because they believe they will become sterile.

SOUNDBITE (French) Felicien Molima, UNICEF North Kivu/Maniema Head of office:
“UNICEF fights against such rumors, such reluctance, with usual communication strategies such a strong advocacy for the different leaders to understand the importance of the vaccination, but also towards the different NGOs, women’s associations to better convey the message within communities.”

To leave no child out, UNICEF and its partners advocated for the mass immunization campaign, even in areas controlled by armed groups.

SOUNDBITE (French) Valerian Mbalu Twirandi, North Kivu Provincial Health Minister:
“In the North Kivu Province, there are still so many active armed groups, especially in the Territories of Walikale, Rutshuru and in South Lubero. So with partners, we managed to sensitize all those armed groups for a truce, in order to vaccinate children.”

October’s three-day campaign reached more than 100 percent of its target, in most Eastern DRC provinces. The next round is due from 23 to 25 November, for all children under five to get these two drops.