In the continued effort to increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage in Niger and Benue States, the Strengthening COVID-19 Implementation Program (SCOVIP) Phase 2 was launched with the support of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC). The project aimed to vaccinate at least 20% of the eligible population in both states within a short two-month timeline. Building on the achievements of Phase 1, the focus in this phase was on increasing demand for vaccines, improving access through innovative outreach methods, and addressing any challenges that arose promptly.
Demand Generation:
Sydani implemented targeted advocacy and outreach sessions designed to boost public demand for the COVID-19 vaccine, particularly in high-density Local Government Areas (LGAs) identified through GIS mapping. These areas were prioritized based on population size and the potential for wider impact.
To ensure timely responses to challenges, the team conducted daily check-in calls, which enabled the swift identification and resolution of issues, including troubleshooting EMID login problems for vaccination teams, with support from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) ICT team.
The team also engaged in regular monitoring and validation exercises to minimize discrepancies in vaccination data. This proactive monitoring not only improved data accuracy but also ensured that the vaccination drive ran smoothly. Coordination with state-level technical working groups, such as the State Emergency Routine Immunization Coordination Centers (SERICC) and the State Logistics Working Group, was strengthened through the development of tracking tools like workplans, action point trackers, and attendance sheets.
These tools helped maintain focus and efficiency in meetings, ensuring that follow-ups were completed in a timely manner.
Furthermore, the team revitalized the Advocacy, Communication, and Social Mobilization (ACSM) structures at the state level, enhancing their functionality by creating terms of reference and detailed workplans to guide their activities. Email correspondences and other communication platforms were optimized to maintain effective coordination among partners and ensure seamless execution of next steps.
Result:
The SCOVIP Phase 2 project exceeded expectations, surpassing the initial vaccination target by 7%. Instead of the set goal of vaccinating 368,640 individuals, the team successfully vaccinated 397,175 people, with an additional 54,548 Routine Immunization (RI) vaccinations conducted. The project’s efficiency in addressing challenges in real time, combined with the optimized coordination between local health agencies and technical working groups, played a critical role in this success.
The strengthening of the ACSM structures and consistent partner coordination helped reinforce demand generation efforts, while the use of GIS mapping ensured that vaccination resources were distributed effectively.
Overall, the project not only contributed to the health of the population but also strengthened the capacity of the state’s primary health care system to respond to future health emergencies.
