Learning hub to address barriers to immunisation equity
Violet Nabatanzi
Journalist @New Vision
_________________ Prof Moses Kamya interacting with Dr Allan Muruta Assistant Commissioner Health services after the launch of the Uganda learning hub for immunisation Equity at Protea hotel.
Recognising the need for a more effective approach to immunisation equity, a Uganda Learning Hub for Immunisation Equity has been launched to address barriers.
The hub aims at improving strategies to reach zero-dose and under-immunised children, as well as underserved communities in Uganda.
The programme, which is being supported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation will run for three years, with a consortium in Uganda consisting of the Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), PATH, and Makerere University School of Public Health.
Uganda Learning Hub, which is funded by GAVI to the tune of about $1m (approximately shillings 3.8 billion) is part of a global effort that includes learning hubs in, Bangladesh, Mali, and Nigeria.
Dr Gustavo Correa, a senior programmes officer at GAVI, says they aim to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases, reduce the mortality rate of children and enhance the quality of life for all Ugandans.
He adds that the learnings from the selected districts will be applicable nationwide.
Speaking while launching the Uganda Learning Hub for Immunisation Equity at Protea Hotel on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, Dr Allan Muruta the commissioner of Integrated Epidemiology surveillance and public health emergencies, said through the programme, they will ensure reaching out to all children through research and use appropriate evidence to cover the country in terms of vaccine access.
Recent study
Jacqueline Anena, the technical advisor at PATH for vaccines and immunisation, while releasing the preliminary findings from a rapid assessment on barriers to reaching zero-dose children, highlighted that despite the Ministry of Health banning traditional birth attendants, mothers are still delivering with them.
She added that when mothers deliver with traditional birth attendants, they miss contact with health services, resulting in children missing immunisation services.
The study also revealed that in the Kasese district, communities find it difficult to access health facilities due to the mountainous terrain, affecting immunisation service uptake and leading to a higher prevalence of zero-dose children. Islanders in Buusi also faced challenges in accessing health facilities, further impacting children's immunisation rates.
Faith Namugaya, the coordinator for the Uganda Learning Hub for Immunisation Equity, said the hub is an initiative to gather evidence on how to reach children who are currently missed by existing immunization efforts.
According to GAVI's operational definition, zero-dose children aged 12 to 23 months who have not received the first dose of the Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus (DPT) vaccine, while under-immunized children aged 12 to 23 months and have not received the third dose of the DPT vaccine.
In Uganda, the immunisation schedule includes the first dose of the DPT vaccine at 6 weeks, the second dose at 10 weeks, and the third dose at 14 weeks after birth.
Experts from the health ministry said over the past 20 years, there has been an improvement in childhood immunisation coverage. However, in 2022, there was a decline in immunisation rates. Data reveals that immunisation coverage stood at 92%; nevertheless, there are still districts with coverage levels below 80%.
In 2022, the Government introduced several measures, including the Hepatitis birth dose, an additional dose of polio, and yellow fever vaccination at nine months, among others.
The project's focus districts are Kasese, Wakiso, and Mubende, as they have the highest number of zero-dose and under-immunized children, according to UNEPI. "We will focus on these districts, evaluate the effectiveness of current implementation, and seek ways to improve. The information generated will guide program improvements to ensure we reach these children,"
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