LAGOS/Nigeria: Leading experts have emphasized the critical need for improved data collection to optimize vaccine uptake in Nigeria, a country grappling with vaccination coverage disparities. The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar titled “Expanding Access to Vaccines in Nigeria (part II),” organized by the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) and held in Lagos.
The focal point of the August edition of the webinar revolved around the theme “Optimizing Vaccine Uptake in Nigeria Through Increased Demand and Use of Data.” Esteemed participants and speakers, including Mr. Eduardo Blanco, Chief of Health and HIV/AIDS at UNICEF, highlighted the multifaceted significance of robust data systems in bolstering vaccination campaigns.
Mr. Blanco, in his opening address, lauded Nigeria’s commendable progress in vaccine enhancement during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing the nation’s triumph in achieving polio-free status in 2020. However, he underscored existing inequalities that hinder equitable vaccine distribution, particularly evident in contrasting vaccination coverage between states like Sokoto and those in the South East and South West regions.
Addressing the audience, Blanco articulated, “Inequities persist both across states and within individual states.” He identified two major challenges impeding progress: shortcomings in health infrastructure and personnel, such as nurses, midwives, and community health workers, as well as the prevailing weaknesses in the healthcare system.
Echoing the sentiment, Dr. Chizoba Wonodi, Nigeria Country Director at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, emphasized the pivotal role of data in informed decision-making. Dr. Wonodi highlighted the pivotal role of data in gauging vaccine coverage performance and ensuring equity, stressing that “good data will help us to identify communities that are yet to be covered.”
The session also delved into the potential impact of data-driven strategies on vaccine delivery. Jedydah Owino, a Data Specialist, outlined the significance of simulation exercises in decision-making, emphasizing their role in shaping vaccine delivery plans. Owino elucidated the interplay between vaccine supply and demand, demonstrating their utility in determining vaccine coverage.
During a panel discussion, experts shared insights into how data has influenced vaccine expansion and delivery across Nigeria. Chisom Obi-Jeff, CEO of Brooks Insight, shed light on training gaps and adult learning principles in primary healthcare personnel development. Dr. Ismail Abdul-Salam, Director of Epidemiology at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, underscored the hierarchical nature of data utilization strategies, spanning from community to federal levels.
In terms of data accuracy and its impact, Blanco highlighted UNICEF’s efforts in vaccine visibility through improved cold chain sectors. “Now we have weekly live data on the number of vaccines at the LGA levels,” he affirmed.
However, data collection challenges in hard-to-reach areas were discussed, with Wonodi noting that paper-based methods still prevail. She outlined the potential of GPS technology in tracking data collectors’ movements and emphasized the need for continuous training and capacity-building for healthcare personnel.
In closing remarks, Dr. Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko, CEO of NSSF, lauded the webinar’s insights and stressed the role of artificial intelligence in data collection. She called for enhanced collaboration between government entities and NSSF in capacity-building and data utilization, ultimately contributing to improved vaccine distribution.
The webinar concluded on a note of gratitude to the esteemed panelists and experts for their valuable contributions to the discourse on leveraging data for optimal vaccine uptake in Nigeria.
