routine immunisation and it's health importance
- 1. Importance of routine vaccination during Pandemic & role of communities in vaccination
- 2. LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Importance of routine vaccination during Pandemic Role of communities in vaccination
- 7. Immunization is one of the most cost-effective health investments and a success story for global health and development. It is a well-established fact that, vaccination has reduced morbidity and mortality due to many infections, cancers and other chronic diseases, globally
- 8. COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21 has impacted immunization services across the globe including India and has emphasized the power of vaccines to fight diseases and save lives. In August 2020, the 73rd World Health Assembly, with the support of countries and partners, has endorsed a new global vision and strategy, called the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030). This Global Strategy with the theme of “Leave No One Behind” encompasses four core principles – people focused, country owned, partnership based, and data enabled.
- 10. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Routine Immunization and recovery measures undertaken by Government of India The sustained efforts undertaken in India to improve RI coverage resulted in more than 90% coverage of DPT3 (Penta3) in 2019. However, COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21 disrupted immunization services across the world. India also experienced similar dip of 6% DPT-3 coverage (85%) as compared to 2019. Government of India undertook a series of recovery measures to address the challenges during COVID-19 pandemic
- 11. Measures taken by Government of India during COVID-19 pandemic • Health services including immunization were deemed as essential services • Guidelines for delivering Immunization services during COVID-19 outbreak disseminated • Immunization services were continued as per COVID-19 categorization areas. Strategy and guidelines were developed for COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) - physical distancing, hand hygiene, and respiratory etiquettes at immunization sessions • Reviews were held with states/ UTs to discuss challenges during the pandemic and the necessary measures taken to ensure immunization services • Virtual methods were adopted to sensitize health workers on RI • Despite the challenges, new vaccines were successfully scaled up (PCV and JE) • Monitoring mechanisms were strengthened and modified to COVID-19 context • Special immunization campaigns like IMIs were conducted focusing on high risk districts & blocks based on risk categorization.
- 12. Management during health emergencies - the efforts to maintain RI services and its learnings during COVID-19 pandemic should be utilized for any future health emergencies
- 14. Communication for increasing vaccine confidence and demand for immunization Reaching all children and pregnant women with effective vaccination and ‘leaving no-one behind” requires strong demand for vaccines by communities. Creating and sustaining demand for immunization is possible when caregivers and communities trust the safety and efficacy of vaccines, as well as the quality and reliability of immunization services. . Barriers to immunization services
- 15. Three key objectives of SBCC for Immunization are as below: 1. Raise awareness on the benefits of immunization, address fears, myths and misconceptions regarding the vaccines and instill trust on immunization services 2. Motivate caregivers & communities to actively seek immunization services and to continue the scheduled immunization as per the age 3. Empower communities be accountable for their health and well- being, leveraging community platforms Target audience for SBCC • Primary target audience: Caregivers/ families of the children upto 2 years particularly in the missed communities, HRA, Urban, remote, hard to reach, underserved areas etc. • Secondary target audience: Community influencers, religious leaders, PRI members, private medical practitioners, frontline health workers, occupational workers’ unions. • Tertiary target audience: Policy makers, political leaders, officials from other ministries/ departments, Media, heads of Religious/ community representatives, professional bodies etc.