IAP National Workshop On Polio Eradication &
Improvement Of Routine Immunization
Supported By GOI
Funded By UNICEF
20-21st May New Delhi
Recommendations:
Strategies to improve routine immunization
- Emphasize EPI as much as PPI, infact more. all IEC material on PPI should contain messages regarding routine immunization.
- Use of audio video, print and electronic media to propagate routine immunization round the year.
- Polio booths should be used to disseminate information regarding routine immunization. No opportunity to be wasted. always inquire, emphasise and record immunization of children.
- Many vertical and parallel programmes should not be started. EPI should be delivered as a whole and should be built up in the system.
- Limit number of NIDs to minimum. limit duration of house to house activity. emphasize house to booth approach.
- Sensitisation of doctors and other health providers through IAP & IMA to emphasize importance of routine immunization and NIDs. IAP state and district branches to be actively involved in immunization activities.
- IAP offers its services to coordinate with other agencies / NGOs to augment routine immunization services in low coverage areas, & urban slums (eg. adoption of slums) etc. Improvement Of Routine Immunization
- District level taskforce should review and supervise routine immunization periodically. IAP members should be involved.
- Insist for certificate of immunization at school and college entry and to avail benefits of various welfare schemes eg. ration card alternatively immunization should be completed within three months of school/college admission.
- Community involvement through local self-government/similar public bodies should be mandatory for determining its felt needs, priorities and monitoring of the programme.
- Fix accountability of health provider responsible for routine immunization in a specific area. Cash incentives to be replaced by recognition. Improvement Of Routine Immunization
- All vacant posts of health workers to be filled up. Routine health services must be augmented to reach the unreached.
- Area specific monitoring for performance should be done. High and low coverage areas should be identified. specific strategies for low coverage areas like catchup rounds.
- Political and bureaucratic commitment to augment routine immunization to be strengthened.