Impact on Routine Immunization Services During the Lockdown Period in India: Implications and Future Recommendations

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nishantadeb Ghatak ◽  
Roy Rillera Marzo ◽  
Sheikh Mohd Saleem ◽  
Neha Sharma ◽  
Sudip Bhattacharya ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Chinnu Sara Varughese ◽  
Anuradha Kunal Shah

World immunisation week is observed every year in the last week of 24th April to 30th April. Many parts of the world are still reeling under the threats of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) and the importance of vaccination cannot be understated even in times of any other crisis. Worldwide, millions of children are saved from the grip of infectious diseases like polio and measles, and annually, around 2 to 3 million deaths are being averted. Routine immunization services, mass vaccination campaigns, catch up, and mop up sessions through outreach activities form part of the vaccine delivery strategies.


2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (7) ◽  
pp. 495-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephane Helleringer ◽  
Jemima A Frimpong ◽  
Jalaa Abdelwahab ◽  
Patrick Asuming ◽  
Hamadassalia Touré ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Auwal G. Suleiman ◽  
Abdulhakeem A. Olorukooba ◽  
Zaharadeen S. Babandi ◽  
Shehu S. Umar ◽  
Umar M. Umar

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt health systems across the globe, preventing access to essential health services. Lockdown measures against the virus may impact negatively on immunization services. This study aimed to ascertain the capacity of primary health care centres in Kaduna North senatorial district to provide routine immunization services amidst a state-wide lockdown.Methods: Cluster sampling was used to select four among eight local Government areas in the district. Facility in-charges and RI focal persons were interviewed using service availability and readiness assessment tool, restricted to immunization tracer items. Paired sample t-test was used to compare the mean number of vaccine doses given in the first quarter of 2020 (pre-lockdown) and the number of doses given in the second quarter (lockdown period).Results: Forty four PHCs were selected from Zaria (29.6%), Sabon Gari (25.0%), Makarfi (22.7%) and Kudan (22.7%). In addition to well-trained RI focal persons, most facilities had vaccines and commodities available. Shortages were noted for EPI guidelines (46%), Meningitis-A vaccine (36%) and certain cold chain equipment (up to 18%). Tetanus-diphtheria (Td-1) doses given during lockdown period were significantly lower than pre-lockdown doses (Mean difference=-45.58, 95% CI: -74.78 to -16.38, d=0.48). No significant difference exists for infant doses.Conclusions: Despite widespread availability of PHC facilities, trained personnel, vaccines and commodities, gaps still exist in service delivery, cold chain practices and vaccine supply management. Lockdown measures significantly disrupted immunization services and effective risk communication was key to achieving sustained utilization.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 233339281878958
Author(s):  
Shafique Sani Nass

Background: Tetanus–diphtheria vaccine (Td+) coverage has been steadily declining in Katsina State, Nigeria. The pilot study was guided by The Andersen and Newman Framework of Health Services Utilization. The goal of the pilot study was to identify the Td+ vaccination coverage and identify any association between maternal residence, educational status, occupational status, access to routine immunization services, availability of routine immunization services, perceived need for Td+, perceived severity of maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT), and compliance with Td+ in Katsina State. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 309 randomly selected women in Charanchi district of Katsina State, Nigeria, was conducted. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using logistic regression model. Findings: The Td+ coverage was low at 23%. Bivariate analysis showed that age, maternal residence, educational status, availability of Td+, perception of Td+, and perception of MNT significantly affected compliance with Td+ ( P < .05, P < .05, P < .05, P < .001, P < .001, P < .001, respectively). Multiple logistic regression findings were inconclusive. Conclusion: Effective strategies to improve compliance were awareness creation on Td+ immunization schedule, risk factors associated with MNT, vaccine availability, and safety. Additionally, improving access to routine immunization services, especially in underserved communities, and effective use of Td+ coverage data were used as strategies. Implications: The pilot study suggests that the design can be used to realize more conclusive and generalizable multivariate findings in future studies.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin R. Ortiz ◽  
Joanie Robertson ◽  
Jui-Shan Hsu ◽  
Stephen L. Yu ◽  
Amanda J. Driscoll ◽  
...  

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


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document