Optimizing childhood vaccination coverage in Lubumbashi: Expert perspectives on the SCAVA / VACCIN+CONNECT- OS initiative.
A significant majority of experts (80%) support a study to explore local factors affecting vaccination coverage in Lubumbashi, indicating a need for targeted strategies.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the epitalon (epithalon) corpusSummary and findings
The study assessed expert perspectives on the need for a local determinants study to enhance vaccination coverage in Lubumbashi, DRC. A total of 111 experts responded to a survey, with 80% supporting the initiation of the SCAVA / VACCIN+CONNECT- OS study. The survey highlighted various barriers to optimal vaccine implementation at the household level.
Abstract
The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) is a public health intervention aimed at reducing child morbidity and mortality caused by vaccine-preventable infectious diseases, particularly in low-income countries. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a country that introduced the national EPI program in 1978. Different ways exist to implement the EPI. The DRC opted for an initiative taken by the family. The coverage is however low, because the country did not conduct a research that identifies factors that constrain optimal vaccine implementation when the decision is at the household level. To get support for a project that investigates that knowledge, a survey was conducted among immunization experts to assess whether exploring the determinants of vaccination coverage in the city of Lubumbashi is worthwhile. Experts were purposively selected through a multidisciplinary approach, targeting individuals with substantial national and international experience in vaccine program implementation, both globally, locally in Africa, and in the DRC. An open-ended questionnaire was developed to explore expert perspectives on optimal vaccine delivery strategies that was conceived in the locally developed SCAVA / VACCIN+CONNECT- OS project (Adaptive Strategy for the Control of Vaccination Activities). Responses were analyzed using mixed quantitative and qualitative methods to identify expert consensus on the need for a local determinants study to enhance vaccine delivery. A total of 167 experts were contacted, and 111 responded (66%). Respondents represented a diverse sample in terms of gender (64% male), age (>50 y: 43%), experience (<10 y: 43%), and professional scope (local/global: 75%). Eighty percent (90/111) supported the initiation of the SCAVA / VACCIN+CONNECT- OS study, followed by the development of an actionable plan to address the identified barriers. They specified multiple reasons and causes of vaccine hesitancy at the household level. Twenty percent (21/111) held a different opinion, citing the immediate need for financial, logistical, and material resources to strengthen vaccination services. The survey demonstrates strong expert support for launching a determinant-focused study like SCAVA / VACCIN+CONNECT- OS as a prerequisite to successful and sustainable vaccination implementation in the DRC. The majority advocated for socio-anthropological and communication-centered public health models, addressing local economic, cultural, and behavioral factors, as an essential foundation for improving childhood immunization coverage.
Background
This paper addresses the challenge of low vaccination coverage in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) despite the existence of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) since 1978. Prior knowledge indicates that various factors at the household level contribute to vaccine hesitancy and low uptake. Understanding these determinants is crucial for developing effective strategies to improve vaccination rates.
Methods
The study employed a survey method targeting immunization experts with significant experience in vaccine program implementation. A total of 167 experts were contacted, and 111 responded, resulting in a 66% response rate. The survey utilized an open-ended questionnaire to gather qualitative and quantitative data on expert perspectives regarding vaccination coverage.
Results
The primary finding indicates that 80% (90/111) of experts supported the initiation of the SCAVA / VACCIN+CONNECT- OS study. Experts identified multiple barriers to vaccination at the household level, with 20% (21/111) emphasizing the need for immediate resources to strengthen vaccination services. The survey results reflect a consensus on the necessity of addressing local determinants to enhance vaccination delivery.
Interpretation
The findings align with existing literature that highlights the importance of understanding local factors influencing vaccination coverage. While the statistical support for the study's initiation is significant, the clinical relevance remains uncertain without further empirical evidence. Limitations include reliance on expert opinions and potential biases in the responses, which may affect the conclusions drawn.
Key findings
- 111 experts responded, representing a 66% response rate from 167 contacted.
- 80% (90/111) supported the initiation of the SCAVA / VACCIN+CONNECT- OS study.
- 20% (21/111) cited the immediate need for financial, logistical, and material resources.
Limitations
- Survey relies on expert opinions, which may not represent broader population views.
- Qualitative nature of the survey may limit generalizability of findings.
- No quantitative measures of vaccination coverage were reported.