The Contribution of Periodic Intensification of Routine Immunization to Vaccination Coverage and Disease Surveillance in the South West Region of Cameroon amid Sociopolitical Crisis and Covid-19 Outbreak in 2020

Abstract Introduction: The Southwest Region of Cameroon has been hit by an armed conflict for over half a decade now, which has negatively affected routine immunization and disease surveillance activities in the region. This negative effect was further acerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which alongside the conflict caused thousands of children to miss out on life saving vaccinations. Herein, we present the contribution of periodic intensification of routine immunization, in improving immunization and surveillance activities amid crises.MethodPeriodic intensification of routine immunization (PIRI) and surveillance was carried out in three rounds per health district. Prior to the intervention, the security profile of each district involved was reviewed. Data for this study was extracted on vaccination and surveillance activities from the District Health Information Software and from monthly regional reports for 2019 and 2020.ResultsIn total 54,242 persons were vaccinated in the SW region following these interventions. An increase in performance was observed in all 18 health districts of the region in 2020, with both DPT-3 and OPV-3 coverage rising by 28% points. Similarly, the proportion of health districts that investigated at least a case of acute flaccid paralysis increased by 83%, rising from just 3 districts in 2019 to 18 in 2020.ConclusionPIRI was a very useful approach to improve both vaccination coverage and surveillance indicators in this region amidst the ongoing conflict and Covid-19 pandemic.