PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Tella-Lah, Temitayo
AU  - Akinleye, Dayo
AU  - Aliyu, Abdulmumuni Samuel
AU  - Falodun, Tope
AU  - Okpere, Stephanie
AU  - Akpan, David
AU  - Orefunwa, Olayinka
AU  - Metiboba, Loveth
AU  - Owoicho, Judith
AU  - Okposen, Bassey
AU  - Nwabufo, Amaka
TI  - Achieving COVID-19 and Routine Immunization Data Systems Integration on the Electronic Management of Immunization Data System in Nigeria
AID  - 10.9745/GHSP-D-23-00149
DP  - 2024 Feb 20
TA  - Global Health: Science and Practice
PG  - e2300149
VI  - 12
IP  - Supplement 1
4099  - http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/12/Supplement_1/e2300149.short
4100  - http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/12/Supplement_1/e2300149.full
SO  - GLOB HEALTH SCI PRACT2024 Feb 20; 12
AB  - Key FindingsThe Nigeria Electronic Management of Immunization Data (EMID) system was optimized to address challenges with managing COVID-19 vaccination data, including interface issues and slow data synchronization.Resolving synchronization and speed issues helped facilitate the integration of a routine immunization module to meet the country’s vision of an integrated primary health care service data management platform.The EMID system optimization and integration of COVID-19 and routine immunization data into 1 system has resulted in a significant increase in the number of vaccinations documented, improved data synchronization, faster data entry speed, better data quality and integrity, and a streamlined health workforce to deliver COVID-19 vaccines and routine immunizations.Key ImplicationsWhen developing country-level systems, such as the EMID system, developers could benefit from using a modular, human-centered approach that engages stakeholders from inception, conducts robust elicitation exercises that accommodate the needs of users across various levels of implementation, and incorporates feedback for better scalability.Digital health solutions like the EMID system confer advantages in enhancing high-quality data management for strengthened national immunization programs.Background:In 2021, Nigeria developed a novel Electronic Management of Immunization Data (EMID) system to address COVID-19 data management challenges and ensure the successful implementation of its COVID-19 vaccine deployment plan. The EMID system was envisioned to be interoperable with the DHIS2 national data management system and serve as a gateway into the integration of other primary health care (PHC) service data management. However, the EMID system faced challenges, including inability to filter reports, missing or loss of data, and difficulties with data synchronization, which curtailed its potential to meet the country’s needs for COVID-19 data management and negatively impacted system scalability to enable integration with other PHC data systems.Methods:Multilayered stakeholder interviews were conducted to determine the optimal functionality requirements for the EMID system. Based on these findings, an optimization plan was designed and implemented to address identified gaps and create a more stable and scalable system to enable further system integrations. Following optimization, a routine immunization module was developed and integrated with the EMID system as a first step to achieving an integrated data management system for PHC services in Nigeria.Results:The integrated system currently provides an opportunity to address data fragmentation and strengthen PHC service delivery in Nigeria. By allowing 1 health care worker to deliver both vaccinations, there is also potential for reduction in cost and redundancies, informing redistribution of the health workforce and overall system strengthening.Conclusion:The journey from the initial challenges faced by the EMID system to the development of an integrated system for PHC services in Nigeria has been a transformative one. Through a thorough optimization process, training and capacity-building, stakeholder-driven improvements, and an elicitation exercise, the EMID system has evolved into a powerful tool for addressing data fragmentation and enhancing public health service delivery in the country.