Use of a catch-up programme to improve routine immunization in 13 provinces of Papua New Guinea, 2020–2022

Authors

  • Dessie Ayalew Mekonnen World Health Organization Representative Office for Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1902-2499
  • Mathias Bauri National Department of Health, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
  • Martha Pogo National Department of Health, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
  • Mei Shang World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Deborah Bettels World Health Organization Representative Office for Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan
  • Shaikh Humayun Kabir United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, New York City, New York, United States of America
  • Waramin Edward National Department of Health, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
  • Bieb Sibauk National Department of Health, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
  • Milena Dalton Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  • Geoff Miller Papua New Guinea–Australia Transition to Health, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Barton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
  • Ananda Amarasinghe World Health Organization Representative Office for Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
  • Yoshihiro Takashima World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
  • Dapeng Luo World Health Organization Representative Office for Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan
  • Sevil Huseynova World Health Organization Representative Office for Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.4.1055

Keywords:

immunization programs, vaccination coverage, pentavalent vaccine, measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, BCG vaccine, poliovirus vaccines, Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Objective: Routine immunization coverage in Papua New Guinea has decreased in the past 5 years. This persistently low routine immunization coverage has resulted in low population immunity and frequent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable disease across the country. We describe the use of a catch-up programme to improve routine immunization during the coronavirus disease pandemic in Papua New Guinea during 2020–2022.

Methods: In June 2020, 13 provinces of Papua New Guinea were selected to undergo a vaccination catch-up programme, with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund. Twelve provinces received financial and logistic support through the Accelerated Immunization and Health Systems Strengthening programme, and one received support from WHO. All stakeholders were involved in planning and implementing the catch-up programme.

Results: Between July 2020 and June 2022, about 340 health facilities conducted catch-up activities. The highest number of children aged under 1 year were vaccinated in 2022 (n = 33 652 for third dose of pentavalent vaccine). The national coverage of routine immunization (including the catch-up vaccinations) increased between 2019 and 2020 – by 5% for the third dose of pentavalent vaccine, 11% for the measles-rubella vaccine and 16% for the inactivated poliovirus vaccine. The coverage declined slightly in 2021 before increasing again in 2022.

Discussion: The catch-up programme was an instrumental tool to improve routine immunization coverage between 2020 and 2022 and during the pandemic in Papua New Guinea. With appropriate technical and logistic support, including financial and human resources, catch-up programmes can strengthen routine immunization coverage across the country.

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Published

19-12-2023

How to Cite

1.
Mekonnen DA, Bauri M, Pogo M, Shang M, Bettels D, Kabir SH, Edward W, Sibauk B, Dalton M, Miller G, Amarasinghe A, Takashima Y, Luo D, Huseynova S. Use of a catch-up programme to improve routine immunization in 13 provinces of Papua New Guinea, 2020–2022. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2023 Dec. 19 [cited 2026 Apr. 7];14(4). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/1055

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 4 (2023): October ‒ December

Section

Field Investigation Report

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