Effective Vaccine Management: The Case of a Rural District in Ghana.

Eric Osei,Mohammed Ibrahim,Gregory Kofi Amenuvegbe

doi:10.1155/2019/5287287

Abstract

Background The Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) initiative provides the platform needed to monitor and assess the vaccine supply chain system to identify strengths and weaknesses of the system at all levels to enhance the development of improvement plan to strengthen the system. This valuation was carried out in the Tolon District of the Northern Region, Ghana. Methods A descriptive valuation of vaccine management was carried out in six vaccine stores in the Tolon District of Northern Ghana. We employed World Health Organization (WHO) assessment tools and procedures which consisted of desk reviews and interviews of cold chain managers to assess vaccine management practices in the district. Five out of the nine global assessment criteria were assessed and a minimum target level required for all criteria to meet the WHO standard was 80%. Results None of the facilities assessed met the WHO benchmark of 80% for all but one criteria assessed. With regards to temperature control, the scores ranged from 42% at Kasuliyili CHPS Centre to 77% at the district store with an average district score of 60%. Stock management ranged between 11% at Wantugu Health Centre and 75% at Nyankpala Health Centre with district average score of 32%. Effective vaccine distribution scores ranged between 13% at Kasuliyili CHPS and 46% at Nyankpala Health Centre with an average district score of 27%. Only Nyankpala Health Centre had an acceptable score of 84% for vaccine management, whereas the lowest score for this indicator was 5% at Tolon Health Centre store with district average score of 53%. Information management and supportive functions scores ranged from 0% at Tolon Health Centre to 26% at the district store with the district average score of 16%. Nineteen (90.5%) of vaccine users had poor knowledge regarding temperature control and vaccine distribution. Conclusion Effective vaccine management knowledge and practices are poor at Tonlon district and calls for urgent and pragmatic approaches such as training and re-training of vaccine users at all levels.

Highlights

IntroductionImmunization (EPI) has proved its place as a corner stone in the Primary Health Care (PHC) strategy
Background e Expanded Programme onImmunization (EPI) has proved its place as a corner stone in the Primary Health Care (PHC) strategy
Our findings suggest for the need to train and retrain health staff involved in the vaccine supply chain in order to bridge the knowledge gap. is will ensure that all vaccines that reach the recipients are potent in order to achieve immunization programme goals

Summary

Introduction

Immunization (EPI) has proved its place as a corner stone in the Primary Health Care (PHC) strategy Is it a cost-e cient intervention that prevents common childhood diseases, it provides an entry-point into communities for other Reproductive and Chid Heath (RCH) interventions, such as vitamin A supplementation and growth promotion [1]. E E ective Vaccine Management (EVM) initiative, launched in the year 2010 by World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) is a comprehensive assessment of the vaccine supply chain system of immunization programmes in low and lower-middle income countries [3]. Each of the nine criteria is assessed at each level of the supply chain—from the national through to the service delivery level by observation, inspection of infrastructure and records, and by interview of health sta involve in vaccine handling and management [3]. Sta category Disease Control O cers Community Health Nurses Enrolled Nurses

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion