3.2.1. Conducting Frequent and Intensified Catch-up Activities

Closing immunity gaps and reaching missed communities require intensified efforts that are well planned and informed by evidence. In Cambodia, Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Uganda, multiple rounds of catch-up activities were conducted to service high-risk communities throughout the pandemic to address coverage gaps and inequities. These included a mix of intensified and targeted outreaches and campaign style periodic intensification of routine immunization (PIRIs) activities e.g., integrated child health days (ICHDs) and local immunization days (LIDs). In Cameroon, districts in conflict-affected regions were serviced through three rounds of periodic intensifications of routine immunizations (PIRI), which resulted in 28% improvement in DTP3 coverage in the South West Region in 2020/2021. To support with planning these outreach efforts, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) Cameroon helped track on a quarterly basis district level service

delivery and immunization coverage indicators. We used an Excel/power BI-based dashboard, which enabled the rapid identification and prioritization of districts that required intensified catch-up activities. Similarly, in Cambodia, CHAI supported with data review and field assessments to assess and update the Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI) list of high-risk communities with recent pockets of missed children, while in Kenya, CHAI supported the roll-out of tracking tools to monitor PIRI microplanning progress and review the accuracy and completion of immunization micro plans. In Nigeria, CHAI supported program planning for a catch-up campaign and identifying zero-dose children in 145 districts across the country, including redesigning microplanning and other data tools to accommodate infection prevention and control (IPC) needs in the context of the pandemic.
