Campaigns strengthen routine immunization programs

Routine immunization coverage in Sub-Saharan Africa improved from 49% in 2000 to 65% in 2004. By the end of 2004, 17 countries had measles coverage of 80% or above and another 20 had coverage between 60% and 80%.

The 2003 Task Force on Immunization recommended that 10% of Measles Partnership funds be used to strengthen routine immunization systems. Since then, the Measles Partnership has supported the following interventions:

• Advocacy for national governments to put immunization high on the national development agenda and make required funds available for vaccine procurement and operations.
• Assisting countries to prioritize districts for implementation of the Reaching Every District (RED) Approach (re-establish outreach sites, program links with the community, and better resource utilization).
• Support for in-country mid-level management (MLM) training on various aspects of EPI management (logistics, monitoring and supervision) and service provision.
• Acceleration of GAVI support in eligible countries (immunization systems support, the introduction of new vaccines and elaboration of financial sustainability plans.
• Promotion of district-level monitoring of immunization performance for appropriate interventions.

In addition, the immunization campaigns help to support and improve routine immunization by: updating the training of health care workers; introducing micro-planning for immunization activities; increasing community awareness through social mobilization and communication; and improving cold chain facilities, waste disposal mechanism and safe injection practices.

Measles campaigns help families, communities fight other diseases faster
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