Improving polio vaccination during supplementary campaigns at areas of mass transit in India

Abstract

BackgroundIn India, children who are traveling during mass immunization campaigns for polio represent a substantial component of the total target population. These children are not easily accessible to health workers and may thus not receive vaccine. Vaccination activities at mass transit sites (such as major intersections, bus depots and train stations), can increase the proportion of children vaccinated but the effectiveness of these activities, and factors associated with their success, have not been rigorously evaluated.MethodsWe assessed data from polio vaccination activities in Jyotiba Phule Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, India, conducted in June 2006. We used trends in the vaccination results from the June activities to plan the timing, locations, and human resource requirements for transit vaccination activities in two out of the seven blocks in the district for the July 2006 supplementary immunization activity (SIA). In July, similar data was collected and for the first time vaccination teams also recorded the proportion of children encountered each day who were vaccinated (a new monitoring system).ResultsIn June, out of the 360,937 total children vaccinated, 34,643 (9.6%) received vaccinations at mass transit sites. In the July SIA, after implementation of a number of changes based on the June monitoring data, 36,475 children were vaccinated at transit sites (a 5.3% increase). Transit site vaccinations in July increased in the two intervention blocks from 18,194 to 21,588 (18.7%) and decreased from 16,449 to 14,887 (9.5%) in the five other blocks. The new monitoring system showed the proportion of unvaccinated children at street intersection transit sites in the July campaign decreased from 24% (1,784/7,405) at the start of the campaign to 3% (143/5,057) by the end of the SIA, consistent with findings from the more labor-intensive post-vaccination coverage surveys routinely performed by the program.ConclusionsAnalysis of vaccination data from transit sites can inform program management changes leading to improved outcomes in polio immunization campaigns. The number of vaccinated children encountered should be routinely recorded by transit teams and may provide a useful, inexpensive alternative mechanism to assess program coverage.

Assessment of open data kit mobile technology adoption to enhance reporting of supportive supervision conducted for oral poliovirus vaccine supplementary immunization activities in Nigeria, March 2017-February 2020

“…Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) SIAs also provide the avenue for additional polio vaccine administration to children who have completed or partially completed their RI OPV schedule [ 5 ]. During SIAs, vaccination teams move from house-to-house and station at strategic public places to administer OPV doses to all children under five years of age, regardless of previous vaccination status [ 6 , 7 ]. Conducting quality polio SIAs is vital to boost children´s immunity in all areas and interrupt wild poliovirus transmission and maintain polio-free status [ 5 , 8 ].…”

Experiences from polio supplementary immunization activities in Anambra State, Nigeria

“…The risk of importation of poliovirus from unimmunized or partially immunized children of travelers and migrants is a public health concern. [11][12][13] Hence, the State government is determined to retain its polio-free status by increasing population immunity against the disease. Studies reporting on SIA implementation are necessary.…”