We set out to better understand whether smaller vaccine vial sizes could affect immunization coverage, timely coverage, and other factors in 14 districts of Zambia’s Central and Luapula Provinces.
Raising Childhood Immunization Rates in Madagascar
In Madagascar, health volunteers are reducing maternal and child mortality as they bring life-saving services, including vaccines, to isolated villages.
1,000 Years of Expertise Making Sure Vaccines Stay Effective
Last week, UNICEF hosted a meeting where experts with a combined 1,000 years of practice in cold chain maintenance discussed some of the current challenges and opportunities related to cold chain maintenance and temperature monitoring at the country level. This blog highlights some of the key themes that came out of the meeting.
The Deadly Sleeping Menace of Meningitis and What Can be Done
Ultimately, preparing for outbreaks begins long before the first case and must entail a strong routine immunization system that provides vaccinations to all target groups, regular communication and education of the public, regular upskilling of health workers, strong surveillance, prepositioning and stockpiling vaccines and appropriate medicines.
Beginning the Transition Process in Kenya: IMPACT Leaders Cluster Meetings
inSupply convened 30 county-level public health leaders from 10 counties and their national partners in Machakos, Kenya to launch the IMPACT Team Network approach for collaboratively solving supply chain problems through teamwork, data analysis, and continuous improvement.
Putting the Logic Back into the Logistics of the Immunization Supply Chain
Immunization supply chains managers should be thinking about how to use new technology and innovative ideas to deliver more product, faster, and at a lower cost. We aren’t looking for Amazon Prime and delivery in an hour (although that would be nice). What is needed, though, is a reliable and efficient supply chain system that guarantees that all children can be immunized.
How is your Memory? – Due Dates, Home-Based Records, and Vaccination
Sometimes, simpler solutions like paper cards are more efficient and usable than technology – particularly where they are needed most and where mobile services, electricity, the internet, and computers are not reliably available. Also, often the paper cards – when their value is emphasized and understood – can “live on” longer than the ever-changing and limited archival storage of electronic systems. A combination of both can be very effective.
Vaccines Work…When Vaccination Works
It takes commitment at all levels – from global, country and community levels to individual health workers and families – to ensure that vaccination works so that vaccines can work.
Looking to Invest in Health? Here’s How to Get the Biggest Bang for Your Buck
The economic case is compelling: returns on investment for every child vaccinated are huge. Every $1 spent on vaccines brings a 16-fold return on investment — this climbs to a return of $44 for every $1 spent if we look at all the extended benefits that vaccination brings.
The Cola Challenge: What Makes Medicine Distribution Different?
Do we have anything to learn from the Cola supply chain? Certainly. Governments and others working to distribute health commodities can learn a lot from the private sector, which excels at finding innovative ways to reduce cost, improve efficiencies, plan effectively, create incentives, and motivate people.