Political engagement: a key pillar in revitalisation of polio and routine immunisation programmes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

Immunisation is a high priority for improving health outcomes. Yet, in many low-income and middle-income countries, achieving coverage targets independently is hindered by lack of domestic resources and reliance on partners’ support. Both the 2001 Abuja Declaration and 2016 Addis Declaration were key political commitments to improving immunisation coverage; however, many signatories have yet to meet international targets. Despite signing the Global Vaccine Action Plan and Addis Declaration, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was unable to fully disburse its portion of allocated funds to cover vaccines without support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the World Bank between 2017 and 2019. Additionally, during the same time, vaccine coverage outcomes indicated negative trends, with over 750 000 children considered ‘zero-dose’ in 2018. In 2019, a primary focus of the then newly elected President’s agenda was universal healthcare. In collaboration with development partners and stakeholders, the first Presidential Forum was held as a public commitment to increasing childhood immunisation and ensuring the country remains polio-free. This article seeks to highlight the key outcomes of the Forum such as the signing of the Kinshasa Declaration, which formally set targets and specified national, provincial and community-level commitments to vaccination and polio eradication. As of 2023, three Forums have been conducted to reiterate political commitment to routine immunisation in the DRC. This type of high-level commitment could serve as a template for other countries struggling to have high engagement as targets for polio eradication and strengthened routine immunisation are set for 2025–2030.