Full text

Turn on search term navigation

© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Background: Global immunization inequities persist, reflected in the 25 million underimmunized and 18 million zero-dose children in 2021. To identify country approaches to reach underimmunized and zero-dose children, we undertook a structured synthesis of pro-equity strategies across 61 countries receiving programmatic support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Methods: We extracted data from 174 Country Joint Appraisals and Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue reports (2016–2020). We identified strategies via a targeted keyword search, informed by a determinants of immunization coverage framework. Strategies were synthesized into themes consolidated from UNICEF’s Journey to Health and Immunization (JTHI) and the Global Routine Immunization Strategies and Practices (GRISP) frameworks. Results: We found 607 unique strategies across 61 countries and 24 themes. Strategies to improve care at the point of service (44%); to improve knowledge, awareness and beliefs (25%); and to address preparation, cost and effort barriers (13%) were common. Fewer strategies targeted experience of care (8%), intent, (7%) and after-service (3%). We also identified strategies addressing gender-related barriers to immunization and targeting specific types of communities. Conclusions: We summarize the range of pro-equity immunization strategies employed in Gavi-supported countries and interpret them thematically. Findings are incorporated into a searchable database which can be used to inform equity-driven immunization programs, policies and decision-making which target underimmunized and zero-dose communities.

Details

Title
Advancing Immunization Coverage and Equity: A Structured Synthesis of Pro-Equity Strategies in 61 Gavi-Supported Countries
Author
Ivanova, Vesela 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Shahabuddin, A S M 2 ; Sharkey, Alyssa 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Johri, Mira 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada 
 Primary Health Care and Health Systems Strengthening (PHC-HSS) Unit, MNCAH Programme, UNICEF Headquarters, New York, NY 10017, USA 
 School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA 
 Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; Départment de Gestion, d’Évaluation, et de Politique de Santé, École de Santé Publique (ESPUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada 
First page
191
Publication year
2023
Publication date
2023
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
2076393X
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2767288670
Copyright
© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.