The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the largest countries in the world and is home to an estimated 115.7 million people. It also ranks among the countries with the highest number of zero-dose children; over 750,000 infants (approximately 20%) have never received any vaccinations.

The DRC faces significant challenges in providing widespread access to vaccines. Poor healthcare systems, especially in remote areas, coupled with outdated paper records, hinder effective vaccine management and tracking. The vast and diverse geography of the country increases logistical difficulties. Limited funding, vaccine shortages, and a lack of trained health workers further exacerbate the problem.

Given the high number of zero-dose children, DRC has been classified by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance as one of five High Impact countries (along with Ethiopia, Nigeria, India and Pakistan). Combined, these High Impact countries represent approximately 26% of the world’s population, 48% of total birth cohorts and 56% of all zero-dose children in Gavi-eligible countries.

In early 2022, the DRC, with funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, launched a new plan called “Mashako 2.0” to improve childhood vaccination rates in 9 of its 26 provinces. This plan aimed to increase the number of fully vaccinated children by 15% within 18 months, focusing on coordination, vaccine availability, and real-time monitoring and evaluation.