Perspectives on optimization of vaccination and immunization of Ethiopian children/women: what should and can we further do? Why and how?

BACKGROUND

Vaccination and immunization of children and child-bearing women, in particular, is uniquely important public health intervention Ethiopia inclusive. In spite of the promising progresses, much is desired toward the ultimate optimization, effectiveness and protection.

OBJECTIVES

This analytical discourse-recourse piece of work aimed at flagging the optimization perspectives on the basis of readily available information. CONTEXT, MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study emerged consequent to the review and capacity enhancement workshop of experts on Reaching Every District (RED) strategy of the Eastern and Southern African countries which was hosted by the WHO Afro Country Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa in Harare, Zimbabwe, 28 February, - 03, March 2012. The study, essentially, is a qualitative analytical review of the pertinent literature with a particular focus on Ethiopia. Both peer reviewed and published and gray (unpublished) pertinent literature were solicited and reviewed systematically. The analytical discourse focused on performance progresses, achievements, opportunities, gaps/shortcomings, challenges and threats and perspectives. Vaccination-immunization performance evidences which were consolidated by the WHO Afro Country Support Team served the starting point to the central analytical discussion. KEY FINDINGS AND REFLECTIONS: Without underestimating the progresses and successes registered thus far, however, there indeed are quite many areas that warrant further discourse and/or recourse in Ethiopia in particular. Compared with other member countries, the size of the unimmunized, reporting quality, fragileness of systems, weak capacity, resource limitation, and others in particular respect to Ethiopia deserve further concerted attention. Districts with under 80% DPT3 coverage were still too many for Ethiopia by 2010/11. Whilst the challenges appeared prevalent, but more so effective and maximal use of the readily available opportunities appeared even more crucial.

CONCLUSIONS

Further and dynamic optimization is desired more than ever before. Presumably promising and realistic enough recommendation perspectives are duly highlighted.