Immunization

TASK FORCE ON IMMUNIZATON AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

The Rivers State Task Force on Immunization was re-inaugurated on the 21st of September 2016 by the Governor of Rivers State. Presently, the Deputy Governor Her Excellency, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo is the Chairperson while the Chairman of ALGON is the Secretary of Task Force. Dates for the quarterly meetings were fixed for 21st November 2016, 2nd March 2017, 7th July 2017, 16th October 2017, 27th February 2018, 8th November 2018, 9th April 2019, 24th June 2019, Subsequent meetings will hold for 2019 on the 14th October 2019 and 23rd December 2019.

The meetings are convened by the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board.

Members Are:

Honourable Commissioner for Health
Chairman, House Committee on Health, Rivers State House of Assembly
Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health
Executive/Permanent Secretary, R/S Primary Health Care Management Board
State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA)
Director Community Health Services (DCHS, RSPHCMB)
GAVI Consultant and Routine Immunization Specialist.
State Coordinator, World Health Organization (WHO SC)
Chairman, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA)
State Immunization Officer (SIO)
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment
Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Environment
Formation of Media Advocacy Task Force for publicity of health programs chairmaned by Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Communication
Representative, Clinton Health Access Initiative-CHAI
Governor, Rotary International
Representative,Total Nigeria
State Team Leader, National Primary Health Care Development Agency – NPHCDA
Representative, UNICEF
Director, Central Medical Stores (CMS)
Chief Medical Director, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH)
State Cold Chain Officer
Chairman, State Social Mobilization Committee
State Health Educator
Representative, Nigeria Agip Oil Company- NAOC
Chairman, Nigeria Union Of Journalist (NUJ)
Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Information – MOI
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information – MOI
Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs – MOWA
Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria – ALGON
Representative, The Niger Delta Development Commission – NDDC
Representative, Shell Petroleum Development Company – SPDC
Representative, National Population Commission, Rivers State – NPC
Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Rivers State – CAN
Representative of The Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education – MOE
Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Education – MOE
Director Public Health, State Ministry of Health
Chief Medical Director, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital
Representative, Etisalat Nigeria
Representative, MTN Nigeria
Chairman, Association of General & Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria – AGPMPN
Representative, Globacom Nigeria
Representative, Airtel Nigeria
State Program Officer, Save One Million Lives, Program for Results
The Honourable Commissioner, Social Welfare and Rehabilitation
District Health Information Officer, Centre for Disease Control (CDC)
Representative General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army
Representative of The Commander, NNS Pathfinder, Nigerian Navy
Representative, Commissioner of Police.
Representative of The Commander, Nigerian Airforce
Representative of Nigeria Info 92.3 FM
Representative of Radio Rivers 99.1 FM
Representative of Rhythm 93.7 FM
Representative of Cool FM

Major Achievements of the Rivers State Task Force on Immunization

Maximum political will to support all immunization and health related programmes. Meetings are regular and well-coordinated under the leadership of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipallibo Harry Banigo.
Significantly improved immunization coverages on all antigens (see fig 1and 2)
- The State has had good administrative coverages usually between 80 and 90 % of Penta 3 (DPT3) from 2015 (evidence from the DHIS2 platform). In 2013, according to the NDHS, the State had 69.2% coverage of DPT3 (National 38%) while in 2018, it rose to 74.5%. The National average was 50%.
- Comparing data from NNHS conducted by Unicef and SOML in 2015 and 2018, Penta 3 coverage has improved from 67.7 % in 2015 to 82.6% in 2018.
- There has been two nationally conducted Lots Quality Assurance Survey (LQAS) in the State for 2018 (quarters 2 and 4).
- The proportion of children appropriately vaccinated was 59% in quarter 2 and 66% in quarter 4. This has demonstrated the impetus of the State Task Force on Immunization (see chart below).

Regular routine immunization and outreach sessions through funding from the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board and SOML PforR is now sustained. This has led to an increase in the number of children 0-11 months vaccinated from 59% to 66% between quarter 2 and quarter 4 of 2018 (based on Lots Quality Survey conducted by National Primary Health care Development Agency).
The sustained supply of adequate vaccines from the state level to health facilities. This has been achieved through the Push Strategy where vaccine quantification is done and pushed to the service delivery areas.This has effectively ensured steady availability of vaccines in the health centres across the State (using the vaccine stock dash board).
Provision of an incinerator for management of sharps
Engagement of traditional rulers through the Traditional Rulers Council in Rivers State. The participation of these key gatekeepers and stakeholders has increased community participation in all health activities. This has led to a reduction in vaccine rejection in all strata of the communities.
Better coordination and resource mobilization from partners for immunization, family planning and health education activities
Strengthening of the Advocacy and Behavioural Change Committee at the State level and Social Mobilization Committees at the LGA level has improved the performance of Immunization Plus Days and Maternal and New-born and Child Health Week.
Regular replacement of obsolete cold chain equipment’s
Procurement and installation of solar direct drive panels in over 200 health facilities in the State, partnering with UNICEF, GAVI, CHAI, EU-SIGN, etc
The procurement of over 17 freezers and distributed to LGAs
Building of a zonal cold store at Bori.Formation of Media Advocacy Task Force for publicity of health programmes and activities. This has led to production of jingles aired in Radio Rivers, Nigeria Info, Wazobia and Garden City FM. The Nigerian Tide and RSTV are now at the vanguard of disseminating health information.
Significant reduction in the outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases
Integration of immunization services at all levels with other child survival strategies
Increased the scope of the immunization program by involving the private sector, secondary and tertiary public institutions
Expansion of the taskforce to include the military and communication institutions
The establishment of Local Government Task Forces on Immunization in all LGA in the State.
Roll-out of the Accountability Framework for Routine Immunization in Rivers State.