Tag: PAHO
Increasing immunization coverage requires better use of better data
Apr 2, 2019
Global funders, country policymakers, and immunization program implementers know that the use of high-quality data is a cornerstone of well-functioning immunization programs. When high-quality data is available, public health decision-makers can understand which populations are underserved and where resources can be allocated most effectively. Immunization coverage rates have improved over the past few decades, but they have plateaued around 80 percent. The challenge with reaching the last 20 percent of children is to know who they are and where they are, which requires easily accessible and accurate data along with the capacity to interpret that data to take action.
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Lessons from the Americas: PAHO launches toolkit for the introduction of electronic immunization registries
Jul 2, 2018
Evidence suggests that electronic immunization registries (EIRs) are cost effective tools that help increase coverage, improve the timeliness of vaccination, provide reliable data for decision-making, and reduce revaccination by helping to verify and track previous immunizations. Developing an EIR, implementing it at the country level, and, above all, ensuring its sustainability are not easy, fast, or inexpensive processes. However, the experience generated by multiple EIR development projects, and the success of some of those programs, can be used as sources of best practices and provide lessons learned. Within this context, Electronic Immunization Registry: Practical Considerations for Planning, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation was developed and published by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in 2017.
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Distilling immunization data quality and use evidence
Jun 8, 2018
Over 30 experts in immunization gathered last month in Washington D.C. for the Immunization Data: Evidence for Action (IDEA) project. IDEA’s mission is to systematically synthesize, frame, and share evidence-informed learning and data quality and use best practices that improve immunization outcomes. This workshop was critical in discussing and distilling the evidence and other promising practices into practical and usable learnings that will be shared with the larger community.
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New efforts to improve immunization data quality and use
Jan 4, 2018
As the BID Initiative initial grant comes to a close, we have been exploring ways to leverage our current learnings and further explore knowledge gaps around data use. PATH was recently awarded a grant in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to do just this.
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Highlights from 2017
Dec 27, 2017
This year was our final full year of the BID Initiative as our initial grant ends in April 2018. As we continue full speed ahead into the new year, we are taking a moment to look back at some of the many highlights of 2017.
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BID Learning Network participants trade experiences and share learnings in Santiago, Chile
Sep 1, 2017
Last week, BID Learning Network (BLN) participants traveled to South America, trading their home countries for a new backdrop. What first struck me about Chile, a narrow country bordered by the South Pacific Ocean to the West, Argentina to the East and its northern neighbors of Peru and Bolivia, were its expansive green spaces. In Parque Forestal, in central Santiago, street lamps line the pathways, and bicyclists and pedestrians weave between the public monuments. In Parque Quinta Normal, an enormous glass greenhouse sits at the middle of the park. Public parks are everywhere in Chile, a testament to the country’s commitment to health promotion and community.
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Countries Gather to Share Lessons Learned on Electronic Immunization Registries
Apr 21, 2016
Implementing electronic immunization registries (EIRs) is not an easy process yet several countries have been and continue to be successful in this. In April, the Improving Data Quality for Immunizations (IDQi) project sponsored a regional meeting of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for countries in the Americas and Africa (with representation from Tanzania, Zambia, and The Gambia) to share lessons learned about the development and implementation of various EIRs.
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