Strengthening National Immunization Coverage Capacity and Effectiveness Strategies in Vaccine Preventable Diseases in Rural and Urban Settings in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

There is an urgent need on the importance of scaling up and sustaining national and regional immunization programs and activities in the prevention and elimination of vaccine preventable infectious and non-infectious diseases in sub-Sahara Africa and worldwide. Optimizing the national immunization coverage capacity and effectiveness is a prerequisite to achieving community and population health, safety and satisfaction, but also return of gains and benefits. The paper provides innovative participatory approaches and strategies in understanding contextual cultural, societal and ecological promoters and barriers towards scaling up and improving immunization coverage, quality services delivery and outcomes. Substantial funding allocation and innovative strategic approaches is required in enhancing local or national transition from Global Immunization Vision and Strategy to the Global Action Plan. Vaccines needs to immunization ownership initiatives integration into national health system priorities and programs. Noteworthy, boosting community trust, confidence and acceptability in a safe and effective participatory immunization increase coverage impacts. Promoting sharing of experiences and best practices, enforcement of mechanisms and policies or in case of only medical and religious exemptions, awareness outreach and public education at all levels. Improving the quality and diligence of participatory immunization service and coverage that extends beyond maternal child health to poverty reduction and in building a sustainable and equitable universal immunization coverage capacity and global health security is imperative.