Lessons from Yemen: Diphtheria and Polio Campaign in the Context of COVID-19

Kennedy Ongwae,Daniel Ngemera,Anirban Chatterjee,Javed Iqbal,Abu Obeida Eltayeb,Islam Mahfuzul M Kaisar,Victor Sule

doi:10.5539/gjhs.v12n12p141

Abstract

Yemen conducted a diphtheria campaign in five governorates between 4 July and 19 July 2020, followed by a polio campaign in 13 governorates between 25 July and 17 August 2020. The study aimed at documenting lessons from conducting the campaigns within the context of COVID-19 pandemic in Yemen after their initial suspension in March 2020. The lessons could contribute to the evidence on the feasibility of maintaining and continuing vaccination campaigns in the context of COVID-19. The descriptive study relied on key informants and content analysis of planning and budgeting documents and daily monitoring reports as data sources. The COVID-19 precautions, including masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, and reduced crowding and social distancing, were applied during the campaigns. These measures minimized concerns over COVID-19, enabling the campaigns to go on, achieving 75% of its target for diphtheria and 96% of the polio campaign&rsquo;s target. The provision of personal protective equipment increased the campaign&rsquo;s perceived safety, leading to its smooth implementation. The measures constituted only about 4 percent of the entire cost of the campaign. The lessons learned will inform the planning and implementation of other upcoming vaccination-related activities in Yemen. This is also a good case study and experience for sharing with other countries.

Highlights

The COVID-19 pandemic that broke out in 2019 in Wuhan, China, reached pandemic levels in February 2020
The study assumed that the provision of personnel protective equipment (PPE) to the campaign teams coupled with risk communication and community engagement provided the health workers with the confidence needed to undertake the campaign and the communities were assured of their safety and that of their children while receiving vaccinations within the context of COVID-19
Advocacy is needed at the highest level in the Ministry of Public Health and Population or its equivalent to secure acceptance and approval of the global guidelines on the resumption of immunization campaigns within the context of COVID-19

Summary

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic that broke out in 2019 in Wuhan, China, reached pandemic levels in February 2020. A month later, in April 2020, the first case was announced in Yemen (JHU, 2020; Walker et al, 2020). As of 3 August 2020, 1738 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 498 deaths, and 864 recoveries were reported in Yemen (WHO, 2020). Most of the reported cases were affecting men (73%) compared with females at 27%. Children less than the age of 15 formed about 2% of the infected population. The weak capacities undermined the effectiveness of contact tracing, isolation of suspected patients, and testing for COVID-19 in the country. The collective and individual social distancing, use of masks, hand washing, hand sanitation, and appropriate cough etiquette was suboptimal (UNICEF, 2020a)

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Conclusion