Business Continuity of Polio Eradication in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic in Pakistan - A Success Story

Abstract

Background: Pakistan is fighting with wild polio virus and Covid -19. Immunization gap could halt the achievements of Polio program and bridging the gap of immunity was only possible by supplemental immunization. This descriptive observational study on implementation of Supplementary Mass immunization Campaign with Oral Polio Vaccines during Covid -19 pandemic describes the process of strategic shift from conducting small scale target to full scale Pakistan National Immunization day. National Emergency Operational Cell (NEOC) Data was used for accessing the strategic shift & SIA indicator set by Global Polio Eradication Initiative.Methods: We analyzed the changes in process of SIA implementation and comprehended the strategic shift of campaign modalities, provision of personal protective equipment and measurement of the Covid-19 infection incidence amongst frontline health care workers. We analyzed the vaccine refusals numbers to rule out the fear of increase in refusal during Pandemic.Findings: Three SIA rounds were conducted with gradual increase from small-scale test campaign in six districts with children under five targets of seven hundred ninety thousand five hundred twenty-nine to a Sub National Immunization Days (SNIDs) August 2020 campaign conducted targeting thirty-four million under 5 children in one hundred thirty districts and National Immunization Days (NIDs) September 2020 country wide targeting forty million under 5 children in one-hundred sixty-three districts.Interpretation: National Emergency Action Plan(NEAP) of Pakistan has key program indicators. All three campaigns achieved target indicators. Number of vaccine refusal did not increase during Covid -19. Frontline vaccinators were provided with Sufficient number of Mask & Sanitizers and were trained on Standard operating procedures of WHO guideline for Polio SIA implementation. Infectivity with covid-19 did not increase in frontline workers.Funding Statement: No funding is taken for this research.Declaration of Interests: The authors whose names are listed as authors certify that they have No affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patentlicensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.Ethics Approval Statement: Approval was taken from National emergency operational cell, Polio eradication initiative Pakistan.