Common reasons for immunization drop out

1- Migrant population.

2- Inadequate/ lack of information

3- Misinformation.

4- Poor quality service resulting in client dissatisfaction.

5- Erratic service.

6- Inconvenient schedule.

7- Poor documentation.

8- Social, cultural and political barriers.

9- Geographical distance + hard to reach areas.

Intervention if there is a relevant drop out

a. Child tracking, contact tracing.

b. Advocacy.

c. Mobilization and sensitization.

d. Monitoring and supervision.

e. Monitor vaccine supply and utilization.

f. Creating more outreaches.

g. Rescheduling immunization days.

h. Attitudinal change of health workers.

i. Start integrated services to reduce missed opportunities.

Ways to mobilize the community in order to effectively participate in the immunization exercise

• Know the community.

• Make initial contact with the community leaders.

• Communicate intention to the leaders.

• Arrange meeting with the community leaders and community representatives.

• Develop agenda for the meeting.

• Attend the meeting.

• Explain the purpose of the meeting in an acceptable language.

• Request them to convey the message to other community members and bring feedback during subsequent meeting.

• Encourage questions and participation from the audience.

• Decide with participants the time, date and venue for the next meeting.

• Have as many meeting as necessary until consensus is arrived at.

2.8 CHALLENGES OF IMMUNIZATION COVERAGE

1. Distance to the place

2. Refusal to vaccinate an eligible child

3. Waiting time

4. Lack of supplies

5. Poor knowledge of parents

6. Fear of side effects

7. Lack of promotion at the community level etc

IMMUNIZATION CAMPAIGNS

Immunization campaign is an essential aspect of immunization programme, it refers to all the sets of action intended to obtain successful immunization coverage.

STAGES INVOLVED IN IMMUNIZATION CAMPAIGN (ROUTINE AND SUPLEMENTARY)

In order to make a desirable campaign and achieve the objectives intended, certain important stages have to be adhered to. This includes;

➢ Planning stage

➢ Implementation stage

➢ Post implementation stage