Immunization Capacity

October 1, 2022

COVID-19 Immunization

The Ministry of Health (MoH) started to roll out COVID-19 vaccination in May 2021. Since then, Baylor-Uganda has supported the Ministry of Health (MoH) through the Uganda National Expanded Program on Immunization (UNEPI) to implement routine/targeted COVID-19 vaccination and Accelerated Mass Vaccination Campaigns (AMVC) at the national and subnational level (17 districts and two cities in Bunyoro and Rwenzori regions). Our support includes capacity building for healthcare workers (HCWs) and community mobilizers, microplanning and coordination, supportive supervision and mentorship, vaccine supply chain management, data management, Advocacy, risk communication and community engagement. As of August 2022, 88% (2,625,739) and 61% (1,816,732) of the target population people from Rwenzori and Hoima regions had received the first dose and were fully vaccinated for COVID-19 respectively.

Micro-planning:

Supported 17 districts and two cities in Bunyoro and Rwenzori regions to develop, implement and monitor COVID-19 vaccination micro-plans for 3 AMVCs; supported coordination of the campaigns
Capacity building:

Trained 7296 vaccinators (HCWs) and 18573 mobilizers in Bunyoro and Rwenzori
Advocacy, Risk Communication and Community Engagement:

Supported the MoH to develop communication messages and materials; printed and distributed over 700, 000 COVID-19 IEC materials; Engaged over 200 political, religious and cultural leaders to advocate for COVID-19 vaccination; Conducted x radio shows and aired x spot messages.
Supply Chain Management:

We supported stock reporting and monitoring, and last-mile delivery vaccines including re-distribution to ensure sufficient stocks and avert vaccine expiries. 1,105,743 COVID-19 vaccine doses were delivered to healthcare facilities. Improved COVID-19 vaccination reporting from 17.5% to 95% in 3 months.
Service delivery:

Supported COVID-19 vaccination at 383 static sites, 99 community outreach vaccination sites, and 1525 AMVC sites
Data management:

Supported COVID-19 backlog data entry and reduced backlog from x % to x% in 3 months, and roll out of SMART paper technology for real vaccine data capture in 17 districts and 2 cities.
Monitoring of adverse events following immunization (AEFI):

Established pharmacovigilance sub-committees in 10 hospitals supporting, supporting the detection, reporting and follow-up of AEFI.