In the relentless fight against diseases, the impact of robust immunization programs cannot be overstated. As Corus commemorates World Immunization Week 2024, we look back at the remarkable milestones our public health organization, IMA World Health, has achieved over two decades of consistent and effective immunization programming around the world.
We know that immunization programs are not merely about administering vaccines. They are about building sustainable health care systems, fostering community trust, implementing monitoring mechanisms, and leveraging data to make informed decisions. This comprehensive approach, championed by IMA World Health in collaboration with local and global partners, has yielded notable successes. Such accomplishments stand as models of best practices not only in immunization but in health program management overall.
Clinic Manager Simon Ateu Chol updates a child patient's health records after he received care in a community of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South Sudan.
Immunization Milestone
In partnership with South Sudan’s Ministry of Health (MoH) and with funding from the World Bank, IMA World Health led the Rapid Results Health Project from 2013 to 2018 to increase access to comprehensive family planning and reproductive health services to over 3 million people living in the conflict-affected Greater Upper Nile and Greater Jonglei regions. As part of the project, IMA World Health designed, and co-led with the MoH, the annual “Dry Season Campaigns” to provide routine and catch-up immunization to tens of thousands of children.
Vaccine delivery that goes the distance
The integrity of immunization programs hinges on effective vaccine delivery, spanning from procurement to distribution and on to administration. IMA World Health stands at the forefront of strengthening health systems, empowering them to handle the intricate process of vaccine delivery with precision, despite the often challenging environmental and logistical barriers.
IMA World Health addresses the human, financial, social and physical capital needs of a health system to improve its vaccine service delivery. By investing in training, equipping health care workers, and fortifying essential cold chain infrastructure, IMA World Health has played a pivotal role in ensuring that vaccines reach the most remote communities, advancing universal access.
A health care worker prepares to give a patient a vaccination shot in Goma, DRC.
Immunization Milestone
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), IMA World Health has supported the Ministry of Health and local partners in implementing immunization programs since 2002. Our vaccine initiatives have reached more than 8 million people and have helped maintain approximately 98% coverage for child immunizations. IMA World Health also purchased and installed over 500 direct drive solar refrigerators and freezers, boosting regional vaccine stocks and ensuring appropriate vaccine transport.
Elevating vaccine acceptance and uptake
Engagement with communities is vital in ensuring widespread vaccine acceptance and uptake. The world of vaccination isn't devoid of misconceptions and hesitancy, which is where IMA World Health's proactive community collaboration makes a difference. IMA World Health works with local leaders, health workers and advocacy groups to foster social and behavior change, bridging informational gaps and instituting risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) plans, to encourage vaccine uptake.
Utilizing the strength of social listening, education initiatives, and the involvement of trusted local figures as vaccine champions, IMA World Health's community-based approach ensures that the benefits and necessity of immunization are understood and embraced, empowering individuals to make informed health choices.
Monitoring safety in immunization programs
Even in the most successful immunization efforts, severe adverse effects (SAEs) can occur and must be swiftly addressed to ensure public safety and confidence in the program. In collaboration with ministries of health, IMA World Health ensures that health systems are equipped to monitor and rapidly respond to adverse events following immunization (AEFI).
IMA World Health trains health workers and community drug distributors (CDDs) on how to identify and treat (or refer for treatment) SAEs as well as on the protocols for reporting these incidents to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the drug donation program. Public service announcements are also utilized to encourage anyone to report an AEFI should they experience one.
Community Health Worker (CHW) Yvonne travels throughout her community, sharing factual information about immunizations and other health services available.
Immunization Milestone
Under the USAID-funded MOMENTUM Integrated Health Resilience (MIHR), IMA World Health leads a global effort to accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal and child death and disease burden in fragile settings. MIHR provides technical assistance and capacity building to support national institutions and local partners to reduce the number of zero-dose and under-immunized children. In the DRC, MIHR collaborated with the Ministry of Health (MoH), the USAID Routine Immunization Transformation & Equity (MRITE) initiative, and other partners to support and introduce the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in North Kivu. MIHR worked closely with the MoH and local partners to develop an Emergency Communication Plan to promote acceptance and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine in North Kivu among the MoH's priority target populations. MIHR conducted rapid mobile/online surveys and interviews with health care workers, MoH personnel and community influencers to assess their knowledge, training needs, sources of information, acceptance and perceived risks of the COVID-19 vaccine. MIHR also supported the MoH in monitoring and analyzing social listening as well as in identifying and utilizing trusted local vaccination champions to manage misinformation, develop an RCCE plan and drive local vaccine demand. Additionally, MIHR strengthened the surveillance of AEFI to enhance the safety of vaccine use and maintain public confidence in the vaccination program.
Monitoring for data-driven decisions
Effective monitoring is a bedrock for successful public health initiatives. IMA World Health has been instrumental in helping countries adopt and utilize health information software to monitor and evaluate immunization programs. District Health Information System (DHIS2) is one standout tool that has enabled health officials to monitor program progress, allocate resources judiciously and enhance the precision of their interventions.
By making data-driven decisions, countries can amplify the impact of their vaccination efforts, addressing gaps and scaling successful strategies. The ability to track and analyze immunization indicators in real-time significantly influences the adaptability and responsiveness of health systems, a hallmark of IMA World Health's legacy in supporting global health.
A head nurse uses DHIS2 at the central office of the health zone to enter his health center’s monthy reports.
Immunization Milestone
With funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), IMA World Health led the implementation of the second iteration of DHIS2 in the 52 health zones covered by the Access to Primary Healthcare Project (ASSP) in DRC. IMA World Health supported everything from installing hardware to providing training in its use and maintenance, and even contributing to the development of national health information policies. At the end of the project, 99% of health facilities were using DHIS2 to produce reports for the Système National d’Information Sanitaire (SNIS), DRC’s national health information management platform. IMA World Health investments in the health information system design and data collection yielded marked improvement in data quality scores, with 39 health zones obtaining a score of 80% or more.
The road to global vaccine equity and health security
The road to global vaccine equity and health security is filled with new health threats, emerging technologies, changing funding priorities and evolving societal dynamics. By aligning with our local partners, leveraging IMA World Health’s deep expertise in immunization, and harnessing Corus International's innovative holistic approach to development, we are poised to overcome these challenges. Our goal is to move towards a stronger, more resilient global community where the transformative force of immunization safeguards every individual's well-being.
Leaders from Corus and Christian Health Associations (CHAs) in Africa convene to discuss health system and capacity strengthening as well as important initiatives like advancing vaccine equity.
Immunization Milestone
Throughout Sub-Sahara Africa, IMA World Health is strengthening the capacity of Christian Health Association networks (CHAs) to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine in their respective countries. Through its Osprey Foundation-funded Promoting COVID-19 Vaccine Equity through Faith-Based Networks in Africa (CoV-FaB) project, IMA World Health supported CHAs in eight countries (Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia, Madagascar, and Central African Republic) to administer vaccines, conduct outreach, train faith leaders, and improve infection control and prevention protocols (ICP). Over an eight-month period between 2022 and 2023, the CHAs’ member institutions administered 1.4 million vaccines.
Nurse Manjita prepares to give a patient her first-round of the COVID-19 vaccine in Nepal. IMA World Health collaborated with fellow Corus organization Lutheran World Relief to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic wherever there was Corus programming.