RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Implementation: A Case Study of South Sudan and Sierra Leone
JF Global Health: Science and Practice
JO GLOB HEALTH SCI PRACT
FD Johns Hopkins University- Global Health. Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Communication Programs
SP e2300180
DO 10.9745/GHSP-D-23-00180
VO 12
IS Supplement 1
A1 Mokaya, Evans Nyasimi
A1 Atem, Nathan Anyuon
A1 Awzenio, George
A1 Mukombo, Lawrence
A1 Sesay, Tom
A1 Kangbai, Desmond Maada
A1 Nyandemoh, Haurace
A1 Musanhu, Patience
YR 2024
UL http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/12/Supplement_1/e2300180.abstract
AB Key FindingsDuring a health crisis, attention should not be completely diverted from other essential services, as this could result in the re-emergence of disease and impede disease elimination and eradication efforts. In this study, integrating childhood immunization into COVID-19 vaccination proved to be an effective recovery strategy that maintained routine immunization coverage during the pandemic.The interactive dashboard example highlights the role of technology in boosting immunization services as an easy and cost-effective method of increasing accountability and data-driven decision-making.Lessons learned from integrating COVID-19 and routine immunizations during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic served as the basis for integrating COVID-19 vaccination into primary health care services in both countries.Key ImplicationsProgram managers in Sierra Leone and South Sudan should apply the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to improve health care delivery and prepare the countries for future public emergencies.Policymakers and supporting agencies in South Sudan and Sierra Leone should advocate for increased health sector funding to maintain COVID-19 response innovations and health care personnel.Introduction:The COVID-19 pandemic caused havoc to health systems worldwide and in countries that already had weak health systems. There are lessons to be learned that could contribute to improved response preparedness to future public health emergencies, but there is little documentation on best practices in fragile countries. We describe lessons from South Sudan and Sierra Leone during the COVID-19 response implementation.Methods:We conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis of COVID-19 vaccination implementation at national and subnational levels between 2020 and 2022 in South Sudan and Sierra Leone to identify those practices that had a positive impact on public health.Results:Several interventions were identified that not only improved the COVID-19 situation but also had a positive effect on routine immunizations. The development of a near-real-time vaccination dashboard gave stakeholders a quick look at vaccine implementation, allowing them to make decisions based on current data. The experience acquired from deploying the COVID-19 dashboard has since been applied to the development of a routine immunization dashboard in South Sudan. Surge vaccination was an effective approach to improving COVID-19 vaccination uptake. A measles reactive campaign was conducted during the initial stages of the pandemic when movement was restricted; experience gained from that effort was subsequently applied to COVID-19 mass vaccination initiatives and outbreak reactive campaigns. Additional vaccinators recruited for COVID-19 response also received comprehensive Immunization in Practice training, allowing them to provide routine childhood vaccinations alongside COVID-19 vaccination, contributing to the maintenance of routine vaccination services in both countries.Conclusion:Lessons were learned during the COVID-19 response implementation that have had a positive impact on routine health services. However, it is essential that these effects are maintained and further refined to strengthen the country’s preparedness for future public health emergencies and better support the broader immunization service delivery.