In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams vaccinated 70,000 children against measles during a 37-day campaign in one of the most neglected areas of the country, using planes and motorcycles to reach people.
In just the first half of this year, 10,000 measles cases were recorded in Maniema, along with 500 measles-related deaths. However, the exact number of children in the province affected by the disease is unknown because some children are never taken to a health facility due to the long distances and cost involved. Most local health facilities receive very little external support.
MSF’s vaccination campaign reached 60,000 children between 6 months and 9 years old in Kampene health zone, while 10,000 children were vaccinated against measles in Salamabila health zone within just one week. In addition, more than 2,000 measles patients were treated by MSF-supported Ministry of Health staff at Kampene general referral hospital, including 684 severe cases, of whom 40 did not survive. More than 2,000 children under 2 years old were also vaccinated against pneumonia.
DR Congo 2024 © MSF
DR Congo 2024 © MSF
Ajiwa is treated for measles by MSF staff in the isolation ward of Kampene general referral hospital.
DR Congo 2024 © MSF
Tcheussi leaves Kampene general referral hospital with her 18-month-old son, Kangakolo,after recovering from measles. Tcheussi says that in their village, located 11 miles from the hospital, many children have lost their lives during the measles epidemic, including five from her own extended family.
DR Congo 2024 © MSF
DR Congo 2024 © MSF
Supplies for MSF’s vaccination campaign are unpacked in the central office of Kampene health zone, located about 95 miles from Kindu, the provincial capital of Maniema. Transporting medical supplies to Kampene is prohibitively expensive for many health facilities, leaving them unable to respond if measles breaks out.
Carrying out routine vaccinations in this area of DRC is a challenge. Without a functioning cold chain [a temperature-controlled supply chain] or vaccine carrier, it is difficult to maintain the temperature of 35° to 46° necessary for a vaccine to remain effective. Without routine vaccinations, it is impossible to reach herd immunity.
DR Congo 2024 © MSF
DR Congo 2024 © MSF
"Vaccinating a child is an act of love": This is the message MSF teams aim to convey while carrying out the vaccination campaign. Some parents are keen to get their children vaccinated, while many others are skeptical and need to be convinced of its value.
Under a blazing sun, megaphone in hand, MSF health promoters in Kampene raise awareness among parents about the importance and benefits of getting their children vaccinated. They also travel from house to house, taking the time to answer parents' questions and dispel any doubts they may have about vaccination.
DR Congo 2024 © MSF
DR Congo 2024 © MSF
Thérèse Selemani brought her 2-year-old daughter to be vaccinated against measles. The child almost died during a previous measles outbreak in a remote part of Maniema province where the nearest health center is 15 miles away.
"I almost lost her when she was sick,” explains Thérèse. “We walked 15 miles so she could receive treatment. Unfortunately, the health center was overwhelmed and we could not be admitted. When they explained to me the importance of vaccination and the diseases it helps prevent, I understood right away. If this vaccine can help us never again experience the situation when she was sick, I am happy to have her vaccinated.”
DR Congo 2024 © MSF
Bahati, an MSF mechanic, is in charge of maintaining all the equipment used by MSF teams for the vaccination campaign, including generators, solar energy devices, and motorcycles.
The electrical network is almost nonexistent in Kampene health zone, so generators and solar energy devices are vital for powering the cold chain that keeps the active ingredients of vaccines at the right temperature.
Despite a mass measles vaccination campaign conducted by the national expanded program on immunization last September, the recent outbreak has affected children across Kampene health zone.
"I have always had my children vaccinated but I am surprised to see that, each time [there is an outbreak], one of them suffers from measles,” says Veronica, who brought her three children to be vaccinated against measles. “Recently it was Alowa, the youngest, who fell ill and it cost us a lot of money to get her treated."
DR Congo 2024 © MSF
DR Congo 2024 © MSF
An MSF health worker measures a child’s mid-upper arm circumference to screen for malnutrition. During the vaccination campaign in Kampene, MSF carried out systematic malnutrition screenings. Children with malnutrition are especially vulnerable to diseases like measles because of their weakened immune system.
Children show their vaccination certificates after receiving measles vaccines in Kampene, eastern DRC. For some children, this was the first time they had ever been vaccinated.
DR Congo 2024 © MSF
