Where We Work | Program
COVID-19 Vaccination in the DRC
Integrating COVID-19 and Routine Immunization in The Democratic Republic of the Congo
This post from “Knowledge Success” explores the successes and challenges of integrating COVID-19 and routine immunizations at health facilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This is the fifth in a series of seven blog posts highlighting examples and lessons learned regarding...
Leveraging Data to Improve COVID-19 Vaccination Rates in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Côte d'Ivoire
It’s no exaggeration to say that quality data is intrinsic to VillageReach’s core values of excellence and innovation. It allows us to actualize those values by enabling everyone, from patients to policy makers, to make informed decisions that improve health outcomes. That is why...
The Vaccinodromes of Kinshasa and Abidjan
In December 2021, VillageReach began working with governments to launch vaccinodromes in the DRC and Côte d’Ivoire. The following videos document the development of these sites and the impact that they are having in bringing COVID-19 vaccines closer to communities and ensuring equitable access...
Africa’s vaccination effort is not losing steam. It is becoming more strategic.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, where less than 1% of the population of 89.5 million people have been vaccinated against COVID-19, efforts to reach the public at their place of need are actually becoming more data-driven and thoughtful—thereby yielding better results.
Vaccinodromes tour: Improving COVID-19 vaccination rates in Kinshasa - Part Four: N'djili
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, less than one percent of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19 even though it began its vaccination campaign in April 2021. In order to improve the results, in November VillageReach started supporting the Congolese government to vaccinate a...
Vaccinodromes tour: Improving COVID-19 vaccination rates in Kinshasa - Part Three: Masina
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, less than one percent of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19 even though it began its vaccination campaign in April 2021. In order to improve the results, in November VillageReach started supporting the Congolese government to vaccinate a...
DRC hopes to "turn the tide" on low COVID vaccination rate
Country Director Freddy Nkosi spoke to Axios about how vaccinodromes are helping to “turn the tide” on low COVID-19 vaccination rates in Kinshasa.
Vaccinodromes tour: Improving COVID-19 vaccination rates in Kinshasa - Part Two: Kalamu
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, less than one percent of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19 even though it began its vaccination campaign in April 2021. In order to improve the results, in November VillageReach started supporting the Congolese government to vaccinate a...
Vaccinodromes tour: Improving COVID-19 vaccination rates in Kinshasa - Part One: Gombe
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, less than one percent of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19 even though it began its vaccination campaign in April 2021. In order to improve the results, in November VillageReach started supporting the Congolese government to vaccinate a...
The everyday heroes of COVID-19 vaccination
With the opening of the first VillageReach Vaccinodrome in November 2021, a treasure hunt began where each new encounter could improve vaccination coverage in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This treasure hunt was undertaken by the inspiring community health workers (CHWs) in Kinshasa. Every day...
Launching new vaccinodromes in Kinshasa
On December 7, 2021, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government held a national forum to discuss issues around low uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations in the country. At this convening, vaccine delivery stakeholders were encouraged to increase the number of temporary fixed sites and...
Getting PPE To The Last Mile
Originally posted on Skoll.org. As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic bore down in Democratic Republic of Congo in December 2020, Bébé Bola, a community health worker (CHW) in the Pakadjuma township of Kinshasa knew that she and her colleagues lacked the personal...
As COVID Ravages Poorer Countries, Rich Nations Spring Back to Life
An article about the disparity of COVID-19 response in high income vs low income countries features quotes by Freddy Nkosi and Ruth Bechtel.Background
When the global COVID-19 vaccination campaign began in December 2020, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) did not have predictable vaccine supply. By November 2021, the COVID-19 vaccination rate in DRC was less than 1 percent.
To increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake, VillageReach partnered with the DRC Ministry of Health (MoH) to open four vaccinodromes, or vaccination sites, in heavily populated, urban areas around DRC’s capital of Kinshasa.
We used an outreach-focused approach to increase vaccine convenience, and we prioritized daily community mobilization efforts to build vaccine demand.
Children playing outside of houses in Malawi. (Photo Credit: Jodi-Ann Burey)
How It Works
- Vaccine Operations and Systems Readiness: Launch vaccination sites in Kinshasa; Support DRC govt in finalizing a plan for BMGF operations funds, including identifying local implementing partner; Establish non-facility based vaccination sites to improve coverage and equity, especially among underserved populations.
- Demand Generation and Management: Launched mass vaccination awareness campaign to improve the level of confidence; Strengthen government capacity to respond effectively to challenges regarding vaccine uptake; Support outreach and advocacy activities to specific groups (parliamentarians, political authorities, religious leaders); Add features to Health Chat to include more information on COVID-19 vaccines.
Resources
COVID-19 vaccinodromes: Increasing COVID-19 vaccination in Côte d’Ivoire and Democratic Republic of Congo
Case Study: Demand Generation at COVID-19 Vaccination Sites in CI and DRC
TechNet-21: Proven and promising strategies for enhancing vaccine confidence
Program Impact
From November 2021-September 2022, VillageReach partnered with Democratic Republic of Congo Ministry of Health to provide COVID-19 vaccinations through four high-volume vaccine sites, with:
229,983 COVID-19 vaccines administered across all sites.
Following the initial urgency of vaccinodromes providing COVID-19 vaccinations, VillageReach has integrated sites with primary health centers (PHCs). This transition may expand routine immunization and advance pathways to primary care, including for zero-dose and under-vaccinated children.
Partners
Government
- The DRC Ministry of Health
-
Provincial Health Division of Kinshasa
Donors
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Livelihood Impact Fund
- GAVI
- WHO
- UNICEF
- M-RITE
- Breakthrough ACTION
Related Global Impact
See the latest updates from our work to improve access to quality healthcare in the world’s most underserved communities.