MSF launches Congo measles drive
Campaign aims to reach 260,000 children
MSF has launched a large-scale measles vaccination campaign in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, beginning with hundreds of children immunised as teams operated across hospitals and health centres in Goma and neighbouring zones including Karisimbi and Nyiragongo. In partnership with local health authorities, the operation aims to reach more than 260,000 children aged six to 59 months to halt persistent outbreaks driven by low routine coverage, ongoing conflict and fragile health infrastructure.
At Kyeshero General Hospital, health workers treated severe measles cases in isolation, with some children transferred from smaller clinics after symptoms worsened; caregivers reported initial misdiagnoses and delays before referral. Vaccination sites such as the Christian Centre of Lake Kivu saw parents express strong support for the drive, noting the importance of protection against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Medical teams warned that gaps in immunisation among resident and displaced populations continue to sustain transmission. Overcrowding, poor sanitation and malnutrition in displacement camps and remote communities increase the risk of complications and fatalities among children under five, making rapid, wide coverage a priority. Organisers said the campaign combines mass vaccination with community outreach to identify suspected cases, refer severe patients for treatment and promote routine immunisation.
Coordinators acknowledged significant logistical challenges, including insecurity, difficult terrain and strained health services, which could slow progress, but said close coordination with local partners and targeted planning aim to maximise reach. The effort is presented as an urgent response to repeated measles resurgences in the region and a push to reinforce longer-term vaccination systems to prevent future outbreaks.
