Impact of periodic intensification of routine immunization within an armed conflict setting and COVID-19 outbreak in Cameroon in 2020.
Andreas Ateke Njoh, Yauba Saidu, Hassan Ben Bachir, Shalom Tchokfe Ndoula, Eric Mboke, Raoul Nembot, Afizu Chrakoh Tambasho, Messang Blandine Abizou, Judith Seungue, Clarence Mbanga, Victor Njie Mbome
Author Information
Andreas Ateke Njoh: Expanded Program On Immunization, Central Technical Group EPI, Ministry of Public Health, Messa, P.O. Box 2084, Yaoundé, Cameroon. njohandreas@yahoo.com. ORCID
Yauba Saidu: Clinton Health Access Initiative, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Hassan Ben Bachir: Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Shalom Tchokfe Ndoula: Expanded Program On Immunization, Central Technical Group EPI, Ministry of Public Health, Messa, P.O. Box 2084, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Eric Mboke: Expanded Program On Immunization, Central Technical Group EPI, Ministry of Public Health, Messa, P.O. Box 2084, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Raoul Nembot: Expanded Program On Immunization, Central Technical Group EPI, Ministry of Public Health, Messa, P.O. Box 2084, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Afizu Chrakoh Tambasho: Expanded Program On Immunization, Central Technical Group EPI, Ministry of Public Health, Messa, P.O. Box 2084, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Messang Blandine Abizou: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Judith Seungue: Expanded Program On Immunization, Central Technical Group EPI, Ministry of Public Health, Messa, P.O. Box 2084, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Clarence Mbanga: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Victor Njie Mbome: Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
INTRODUCTION: Cameroon's Southwest Region (SW) has been hit by an armed conflict for over half a decade now, negatively affecting the region's routine immunization and disease surveillance activities. This negative effect was further acerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which alongside the conflict, caused thousands of children to miss out on life-saving vaccinations. Herein, we present the contribution of periodic intensification of routine immunization in improving immunization and surveillance activities amid crises. METHOD: Periodic intensification of routine immunization (PIRI) and disease surveillance were carried out in three rounds per health district. Before the intervention, the security profile of each district involved was reviewed. Data for this study was extracted on vaccination and surveillance activities from the District Health Information Software and monthly regional reports for 2019 and 2020 from the SW delegation of health. RESULTS: 54,242 persons were vaccinated in the SW following these interventions. An increase in performance was observed in all 18 health districts in 2020 compared to 2019. Both DPT-HebB-Heb-3 vaccine and OPV-3 coverage rose by 28% points. Similarly, the proportion of health districts that investigated at least a case of acute flaccid paralysis increased by 83%, rising from just three districts in 2019 to all 18 in 2020. CONCLUSION: PIRI was a practical approach to improving vaccination coverage and surveillance indicators in this region amidst the ongoing armed conflict and COVID-19 pandemic.
