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Where We Work  |  Program

COVID-19 Vaccination in the DRC

Aug 2, 2023   |   News

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...

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Nov 11, 2022   |   Blog Post

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...

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May 11, 2022   |   Blog Post

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...

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May 9, 2022   |   News

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.

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May 2, 2022   |   Blog Post

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...

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May 2, 2022   |   Blog Post

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...

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Apr 22, 2022   |   News

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.

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Apr 12, 2022   |   Blog Post

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...

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Apr 12, 2022   |   Blog Post

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...

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Mar 21, 2022   |   Blog Post

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...

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Mar 8, 2022   |   Blog Post

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...

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Jul 28, 2021   |   Blog Post

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...

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May 5, 2021   |   News

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.

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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.

People inspecting drone in field.

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

Fact Sheet  |  2023

COVID-19 vaccinodromes: Increasing COVID-19 vaccination in Côte d’Ivoire and Democratic Republic of Congo

Report  |  2023

Case Study: Demand Generation at COVID-19 Vaccination Sites in CI and DRC

Tool  |  2023

Considerations for Your COVID-19 Vaccination Site

Presentation  |  2022

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.

COVID-19 Vaccination in Cote D’Ivoire

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COVID-19 Vaccination in Malawi

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COVID-19 Vaccination in the USA

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COVID-19 Vaccination in Mozambique

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