Revamping immunization coverage in Kampala peri-urban regions through immunization promotion campaigns.

General objective: The goal of the program is to promote immunization in Kampala district. Uganda Paediatric Association worked in-conjunction with KCCA with support from UNICEF to conduct activities aimed at strengthening immunization service delivery through the existing public health system in Kampala district.

Specific objectives

1. Provide refresher training to health workers on immunization at selected outpatient public health facilities in Kampala district.
2. Improve health worker attitude towards offering immunization services at selected outpatient public health facilities in Kampala district.
3. Support the establishment of dedicated and functional immunization service delivery points at selected outpatient public health facilities in Kampala district.
4. Boost immunization out-reach programs conducted by selected outpatient public health facilities in Kampala district.
5. Supervise immunization service delivery (at health facilities and community level) at selected outpatient public health facilities in Kampala district.

Main activities included:

1. Immunization-promotion: The overall goal of this component of the program was to change the community’s behavior and attitudes towards immunization, empowering the community to come up with solutions to barriers against immunization. Social interventions used to modify individual attributes and behaviors, social norm and cultural beliefs that may negatively influence immunization-seeking behavior.
2. Immunization campaigns: To attain high up-take of immunization services during community out-reaches several strategies were used to attract people to the services. Immunizations campaigns were organized to draw communities to the service. The campaigns were organized within the structure of routine community out-reach programs conducted by health facilities. Routine immunization, catch up immunization for those who missed out or dropped out and accelerated immunization services were offered to children under five and women of childbearing age. Several strategies were used including the following:

• Immunization rallies
• Immunization centres
• Community mobilization through Mass Media
• Engagement of political and religious leadership