Once considered a woman’s responsibility, child vaccination is now a major interest for many fathers in Maindombe province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Here, the community lives off agriculture and fishing, where family roles are clearly defined. In the evening, the men take their canoes and go fishing all night, while the women leave home before dawn to work in the fields.
“Our lives depend on fishing and farming. The women leave the house very early for the fields. When we men arrive, they are no longer there,” said Father Nsalobola Yende from Mbongo Ntabotwa village in the province. “Sometimes the vaccinators come, and our wives are not there. So, since we are at home, we take our children to get vaccinated.”
Getting Vaccines Closer to Communities
Mobilization of fathers for the vaccination of their children in the village of Mbongo Tabotwa. Phto Credit: Carlo Lechea
In October 2025, the Maindombe government began periodic intensification of routine immunization (PIRI), which consisted of three vaccination phases. The purpose of this vaccination strategy is to reach more children who are often missed by routine immunization services, especially those in the hardest-to-reach areas, communities where even boats and motorbikes cannot reach. In Maindombe, there are many zero-dose (ZD) or under-vaccinated children, and PIRI have made critical progress in reaching them. VillageReach has supported the government by providing transport logistics, including the purchase of specialized vaccine carriers that can keep vaccines from spoiling in warm temperatures for up to seven days. By the end of all three phases in Maindombe, nearly 22,000 children were vaccinated, of whom 6,755 were ZD.
Health workers and community health workers in DRC go out in teams to communities to identify and vaccinate children. However, identifying ZD children is only the first step. Families need to be willing to bring their children to the vaccination site. When health workers arrived in Maindombe, they found several fathers waiting and excited to vaccinate their children.
“Vaccines are expensive, but [through PIRI] they come to us for free. So, every time the vaccinators come, I take advantage of it,” said Father Bolomba Bateyi, from Mbongo Ntabotwa village. “Today, I’m happy to see my child vaccinated. Those who refuse vaccines will regret it one day. Vaccines save our children’s lives.”
Fathers as Immunization Advocates
While many parents welcome efforts to bring vaccine services closer to their community during PIRI, mistrust remains in some areas. This is where many fathers in Mbongo Tabotwa, a village of Maindombe, are stepping up and advocating for vaccination.
“In our village, some men refuse vaccines for their children. I’ve already told my wife: every time she sees the vaccinators, she should take advantage of it,” said Yende. “Some refuse because of the fear of side effects. But they forget that if the child gets sick, they’ll spend more money. It’s for the good of our children. I’m happy today: outbreaks like measles or cholera can no longer affect my child.”
While women have traditionally been the primary caregivers for their children’s health in DRC, the increasing involvement of their husbands is gradually changing community behaviors. The vaccination teams emphasize that this male participation is not merely symbolic: it facilitates access to children, reduces resistance and contributes to better vaccination coverage in under-reached communities.
“Among the factors contributing to the increase in the number of children who have received no doses and are under-vaccinated is the dependence of some mothers, who must wait for their husbands’ decisions before having their children vaccinated, said Dr. Gabriel Kimbanda, VillageReach’s Technical Assistant supporting the Maindombe provincial division for the organization of PIRI. “It is therefore encouraging to see that more fathers are bringing their children to vaccinations themselves. When fathers get involved, the process becomes simpler, and their commitment encourages other men to [do the same]”.
In a province where some families must walk several kilometers to reach a vaccination center, a simple truth emerges: protecting children is not just a woman’s job. It is also the responsibility of fathers to understand that their children’s health depends on their decisions efforts and presence.
“Men need to understand that vaccination is important. Those who refuse to take their children for vaccinations because their wives aren’t available are ignorant,” said Yende. “Men must be the pillars of support…. We must vaccinate our children.”
Watch this video to learn more about the DRC government’s push to reach more children in Maindombe province.