Kinshasa, DRC — Amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a critical measles vaccination campaign is being rolled out in the Masisi Territory of the beleaguered eastern region. This comes as the country grapples with a measles outbreak that has already affected thousands of children, highlighting the complex interplay between public health crises and ongoing conflict.
The campaign, which kicked off in late 2025, is part of a larger nationwide effort to protect approximately 62 million children aged 6 months to 14 years against measles and rubella. The introduction of the combined measles-rubella (MR) vaccine into the national immunization schedule is a significant step forward, but the challenges are immense. In the first half of 2024, over 36,150 suspected measles cases and 565 deaths were reported across the country, with Maniema province recording over 10,000 cases and 500 related deaths.
The Masisi Territory, a hotbed of conflict and insecurity, presents particularly daunting logistical and security challenges. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been at the forefront of these efforts, having vaccinated over 1.2 million children against measles and treated nearly 30,000 patients across the country in 2024. In the first half of 2025, MSF conducted over 20 emergency interventions, vaccinating over 437,000 children against measles and treating more than 5,430 patients.
The phased approach of the MR vaccine introduction and catch-up campaigns is crucial, with the first block of seven provinces, including Masisi, conducting the campaign from November 27 to December 1, 2025. This targeted strategy is essential in reaching children in areas where the risk of measles is highest and where access to healthcare is limited.
The measles outbreak in DRC is not just a public health crisis; it is a reflection of deeper issues within the country. The low vaccination coverage and the ongoing armed conflict have created an environment where diseases like measles can thrive. The challenges of logistical difficulties, insecurity, and shortages of vaccines and resources are compounded by the fact that these areas are often the hardest hit by the conflict.
As the campaign progresses, it is clear that the success of this effort will depend not only on the resources and expertise of organizations like MSF but also on the resilience and determination of the communities affected. The implications of this campaign go beyond the immediate goal of controlling the measles outbreak; they are a testament to the ongoing struggle for stability and health in the eastern regions of DRC.
Source: Africa
Additional reporting by ImNews
