scholarly journals Efforts to Reach More Children with Effective Vaccines Through Routine Immunization in The WHO African Region: 2013-2015

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (SI1) ◽  
pp. 55-62
Author(s):  
Blanche Anya ◽  
Joseph Okeibunor ◽  
Richard Mihigo ◽  
Alain Poy ◽  
Felicitas Zawaira
Keyword(s):  
Routine Immunization ◽  
African Region

scholarly journals Efforts Towards Polio Eradication in Madagascar: 1997 to 2017

2021 ◽  
Vol Special Issue (2) ◽  
pp. 102-111
Author(s):  
Marcellin Mengouo Nimpa ◽  
Noëline Ravelomanana Razafiarivao ◽  
Annick Robinson ◽  
Mamy Randriatsarafara Fidiniaina ◽  
Richter Razafindratsimandresy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Oral Polio Vaccine ◽  
Polio Eradication ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
World Health ◽  
Political Commitment ◽  
African Region ◽  
Wild Poliovirus ◽  
Polio Vaccine ◽  
Free Status

Background: In 1988, the World Health Assembly launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. WHO AFRO is close to achieve this goal with the last wild poliovirus detected in 2014 in Borno States in Nigeria. The certification of the WHO African Region requires that all the 47 member states meet the critical indicators for a polio free status. Madagascar started implementing polio eradication activities in 1996 and was declared polio free in June 2018 in Abuja. This study describes the progress achieved towards polio eradication activities in Madagascar from 1977- 2017 and highlights the remaining challenges to be addressed. Methods: Data were collected from the national routine immunization services, Country Acute Flaccid surveillance databases and national reports of SIAS and Mop Up campaign. Country complete polio and immunization related documentation provided detailed historical information’s. Results: From 1997 to 2017, Madagascar reported one wild poliovirus (WPV) outbreak and four circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus (cVDPV) oubreaks with a total of 21 polioviruses (1 WPV and 21 cVDPV). The last WPV and cVDPV were notified in 1997 in Antananarivo and 2015 in Sakaraha health districts respectively. Madagascar met the main polio surveillance indicators over the last ten years and made significant progress following the last cVDPV2 outbreak in 2014 -2015. In addition, the country successfully implemented the switch from trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (tOPV) to bivalent Oral Polio vaccine (bOPV) and containment activities. Environmental Surveillance established since 2015 did not reveal any poliovirus. The administrative coverage of the 3rd dose of oral polio vaccine (OPV3) varied across the years from 55% in 1991 to a maximum of 95% in 2007 before a progressive decrease to 86% in 2017. The percentage of AFP cases with more than 3 doses of oral polio vaccines increased from 56% in 2014 to 88% in 2017. A total of 19 supplementary immunization activities (SIA) were conducted in Madagascar from 1997 to 2017, among which 3 were subnational immunization days (sNID) and 16 were national immunization days (NIDs). Poor routine coverage contributed to the occurrence of cVDPC outbreaks in the country; addressing this should remain a key priority for the country to maintain the polio free status. From 2015 to June 2017, Madagascar achieved the required criteria leading to the acceptance of the country’s polio-free documentation in June 2018 by ARCC. However, continuous efforts will be needed to maintain a highly sensitive polio surveillance system with emphasis on security compromised areas. Finally strengthening the health system and governance at all levels will be necessary if these achievements are to be sustained. Conclusions: High national political commitment and support of the Global Polio Eradication Partnership were critical for Madagascar to achieve polio free status. Socio-political instability, weakness of the health system, sub-optimal routine immunization performance, insufficient SIA quality and existing security compromised areas remain critical program challenges to address in order to maintaining the polio free status. Continuous high-level advocacy should be kept in order to ensure that new government authorities maintain polio eradication among the top priorities of the country.

scholarly journals Contribution of polio eradication initiative to strengthening routine immunization: Lessons learnt in the WHO African region

Vaccine ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (43) ◽  
pp. 5187-5192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blanche-Philomene Melanga Anya ◽  
Edna Moturi ◽  
Teka Aschalew ◽  
Mable Carole Tevi-Benissan ◽  
Bartholomew Dicky Akanmori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polio Eradication ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
African Region ◽  
Lessons Learnt

scholarly journals The operational impact of deploying SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in countries of the WHO African Region

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin R. Ortiz ◽  
Joanie Robertson ◽  
Jui-Shan Hsu ◽  
Stephen L. Yu ◽  
Amanda J. Driscoll ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Cold Storage ◽  
Storage Capacity ◽  
National Level ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
African Region ◽  
Immunization Services ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns

ABSTRACTBackgroundWhen available, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines will be deployed to countries with limited immunization systems.MethodsWe conducted an immunization capacity assessment of a simulated WHO African Region country using region-specific data on immunization, population, healthcare workers (HCWs), vaccine cold storage capacity (quartile values for national and subnational levels), and characteristics of influenza vaccines to represent future SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. We calculated monthly increases in vaccine doses, doses per vaccinator, and cold storage volumes for four-month SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns targeting risk groups compared to routine immunization baselines.FindingsAdministering SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to risk groups would increase total monthly doses by 27.0% for ≥65 years, 91.7% for chronic diseases patients, and 1.1% for HCWs. Assuming median nurse density estimates adjusted for absenteeism and proportion providing immunization services, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns would increase total monthly doses per vaccinator by 29.3% for ≥65 years, 99.6% for chronic diseases patients, and 1.2% for HCWs. When we applied quartiles of actual African Region country vaccine storage capacity, routine immunization vaccine volumes exceeded national-level storage capacity for at least 75% of countries, but subnational levels had sufficient storage capacity for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for at least 75% of countries.InterpretationIn the WHO African Region, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns would substantially increase doses per vaccinator and cold chain capacity requirements over routine immunization baselines. Pandemic vaccination campaigns would add volume to national-level stores already at their limits, but sufficient capacity exists at subnational levels. Immediate attention to strengthening immunization systems is essential to support pandemic responses.FundingNone

scholarly journals Reaching every district (RED) approach to strengthen routine immunization services: evaluation in the African region, 2005

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Ryman ◽  
R. Macauley ◽  
D. Nshimirimana ◽  
P. Taylor ◽  
L. Shimp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Routine Immunization ◽  
African Region ◽  
Immunization Services ◽  
Services Evaluation

scholarly journals Use of Call Centers in Polio Eradication Efforts in Island Settlement in Chad

2021 ◽  
Vol Special Issue (2) ◽  
pp. 87-93
Author(s):  
Adele Daleke Lisi Aluma ◽  
Sam Koulmini ◽  
Souley Kalilou ◽  
Obianuju Igweonu ◽  
Felix Amadou Kouassi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Call Centers ◽  
Immunization Coverage ◽  
Oral Polio Vaccine ◽  
Polio Eradication ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
Community Leaders ◽  
African Region ◽  
Global Polio Eradication Initiative ◽  
Telephone Calls ◽  
Immunization Campaign

Background: One of the four key strategies of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is high immunization coverage, with oral polio vaccine as part of routine immunization schedules. However, given the weak routine immunization structures in the African Region, coverage is enhanced with supplemental immunization activities (SIAs), and mop-up immunizations. Unfortunately, anecdotal information show that vaccination teams sometimes omit some catchments areas without immunization. This paper thus describes the use of “Call Centers” in detecting missed populations and taking prompt corrective action. Method: The study was based on review of call records during polio supplemental immunization campaigns in Bol Districts in Chad from February to May 2018. The immunization coverage resulting from these campaigns was compared with that of February 2018. A compilation of data – details on communities, community leaders, and their phone numbers was performed. On the eve of the campaign, community leaders were alerted on the vaccinators’ visitThe community leaders were called on the eve of the campaign to alert them on the visit of the vaccinators. At the end of each day, activities (visits as well) were reviewed at the coordination centres Vaccinators were asked to return to any community where community leaders did not confirm visits). Result: Telephone calls allowed the verification and confirmation of the vaccinators visits in 92% of cases. Villages where vaccination was planned but which were not reached were revisited. More than 1,011 children were caught up through this approach in 10 villages in the Bol district. Conclusion: In conclusion, call centers played significantly higher role in generating covering more children with immunization during immunization campaign.

Gene Polymorphisms and Their Association to Coronavirus Family Infections: Susceptibility in Different Populations

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variants ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Human Leukocyte ◽  
Asian Population ◽  
African Region ◽  
Mediterranean Populations ◽  
Susceptibility To Infection ◽  
Asian Populations ◽  
Spread Pattern ◽  
Different Populations

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loci are highly polymorphic and determine differential features of the immune response in subjects from different regions. HLA genes have been proposed to determine genetic susceptibility to several diseases, particularly to viral infections. Moreover, it has been suggested that each ethnic group could have a different specificity of T-lymphocyte reactivity to the same viral infections. In this review, we analyzed the distribution of HLA types in countries of the Asian, European and North African region. Also, we studied the relation between these HLA polymorphisms and susceptibility to infection by the coronavirus. Our findings indicated that homozygosity would increase susceptibility to viral infections and, in some cases, to coronavirus infection. HLA types showing higher susceptibility were reported in Asian population, including China, Singapore, and Taiwan. In contrast, lower susceptibility HLA variants were detected among African populations, some Asian populations, and Mediterranean populations. The presented evidence along with the spread pattern of COVID-19 infection suggests that HLA genetic variants might be related to its infection susceptibility and severity. The investigation of HLA genetic variants distribution would be a useful tool to predict different populations’ susceptibility to viral infections.

The Puzzling Paradox Presented within the African Supranational Judicial Institutions: The ECOWAS Court of Justice

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 86-109
Author(s):  
Kehinde Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
West African ◽  
African Region ◽  
The West ◽  
Political Will ◽  
National Courts ◽  
Court Of Justice ◽  
West African Region

The judgments of the ECOWAS Court, which are final and immediately binding, are vital for the realisation of ECOWAS aims and objectives. The enforcement of its judgments is particularly important in the case of individuals whose enjoyment of fundamental human rights, as guaranteed under the ECOWAS Community laws, is dependent on effective enforcement. Yet, an existential puzzling paradox emanates through a poor record in the implementation of the ECOWAS Court's judgments. This problem, which is not limited to the West African region deserves scrutiny and concrete proposals. Legal and political considerations surface in assessing the existence of this paradox, and despite the lack of a consistent political will, to implement the decisions of ECOWAS Court relevant judicial actors have roles to play. National courts could take a bolder approach in complementing the work of the ECOWAS Court. The ECOWAS Court itself could put in place concrete mechanisms and adopt certain practices to address this poor record of non-implementation. It is yet to be seen how substantive mechanisms would work in practice.

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