Increasing immunization coverage, Solomon Islands, 2022.

Abstract

Problem: The Malaita and Western provinces in Solomon Islands had low routine immunization coverage due to disruptions in health services caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in early 2022.

Approach: The country introduced the World Health Organization (WHO) Reaching Every District (RED) approach in 2002. Between July and September 2022, we strengthened supportive supervision, monitoring and use of data for decision-making, especially for microplanning and re-establishing outreach to prioritized areas. Health workers were supported to identify key concerns and develop strategies to improve performance. Monthly updates of reported immunization coverage, reporting completeness and fieldwork findings were widely disseminated.

Local setting: Solomon Islands' population is 748 606 people, of whom 165 345 reside in Malaita and 105 367 in Western Province.

Relevant changes: In Malaita Province, reported coverage of third dose of pentavalent vaccine and first dose of measles-rubella vaccine increased from 40% (757/1892) of eligible children to 121% (1144/946) and from 30% (568/1892) to 159% (1504/946), respectively; and in Western Province reported coverage increased from 38% (443/1165) to 191% (1113/583) and from 44% (513/1165) to 149% (868/583), respectively. Reported coverage for the remaining provinces increased from 64% (3380/5282) to 88% (2325/2641) and from 59% (3116/5282) to 137% (3619/2641), respectively. These findings led the programme on immunization to re-expand the WHO RED approach nationwide.

Lessons learnt: Supportive supervision, systematic monitoring and use of data for decision-making helped restoring reported immunization coverage in two low-coverage provinces. However, sustaining these results at a national level is necessary. The WHO RED approach remains relevant, even during a pandemic.