“Closing Gaps in Routine Immunization – Impact and Cost Assessment on components of New Vaccine Policy in Routine Immunization in Gujarat, India” -

Abstract

Introduction: Introduction of new vaccine supply management policies such as Open Vial Policy and 2nd dose of measles vaccine; vaccine wastage is expected to decrease. Over the period, increase the service utilization with above mentioned policies led to decrease its cost globally and having an uninterrupted supply chain across the country. Objectives: To estimate vaccine wastage rate and wastage factor at distribution level and to provide Cost Assessment on effect of Open Vial Policy implementation, introduction of Pentavalent and 2nd dose of measles at distribution level. Methodology: A record based descriptive cross sectional study involving vaccine usage and children immunized at 92 PHCs. Cost Analysis was done on money saved after introduction of new vaccine policy interventions. Results: Highest Vaccine wastage was seen in OPV and least in Pentavalent. There was significant difference between Vaccine Multiplication Factor for vaccines Pentavalent, OPV and TT in the present study. There was significant difference between Vaccine Multiplication Factor for vaccines Measles vaccine after introduction of 2nd dose (p< 0.001). After vaccine policy interventions; one PHC was able to save cumulative of INR 257.54. Conclusion: In Gujarat, there are specific bottlenecks for higher wastage rate and wastage factor had been observed. In recent era, in absence of national or local valid data of vaccine wastage rate, it is crucial for the stakeholders and programme managers to monitor the vaccine supply and its logistic management. Use of appropriate technology into the logistics management like eVIN will support the program with quality of service delivery. Key words: Vaccine Wastage, UIP, Cost Analysis, Primary Health Care