Reaching Unvaccinated Children: Lessons Learned from JSI’s Technical Assistance to the Government of the DRC for Improving Access and Utilization of Routine Immunization Services

Many infants and families in urban areas do not receive vital health services such as immunization. To address these inequities in the megacity of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., worked with the Ministry of Health and urban municipalities to strengthen routine immunization (RI) service delivery through locally tailored solutions. This involved the adaptation of the Reaching Every District (RED) approach and identification of steps to ensure the quality of care and reduce dropouts in the urban environments, notably with the provision of services to urban poor communities. 

With support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), JSI worked with the Government of the DRC in Kinshasa in two phases from January 2018 to January 2020. Through these efforts, new strategies reduced missed opportunities for vaccination and vaccinated zero-dose children through the DRC’s RI system in Kinshasa. This report details the lessons learned from these strategies.