AVADAR (Auto-Visual AFP Detection and Reporting): demonstration of a novel SMS-based smartphone application to improve acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Eradication of polio requires that the acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance system is sensitive enough to detect all cases of AFP, and that such cases are promptly reported and investigated by disease surveillance personnel. When individuals, particularly community informants, are unaware of how to properly detect AFP cases or of the appropriate reporting process, they are unable to provide important feedback to the surveillance network within a country. METHODS: We tested a new SMS-based smartphone application (App) that enhances the detection and reporting of AFP cases to improve the quality of AFP surveillance. Nicknamed Auto-Visual AFP Detection and Reporting (AVADAR), the App creates a scenario where the AFP surveillance network is not dependent on a limited number of priority reporting sites. Being installed on the smartphones of multiple health workers (HWs) and community health informants (CHIs) makes the App an integral part of the detection and reporting system. RESULTS: Results from two phases of tests conducted in Nigeria point to the effectiveness of the App in the surveillance of AFP. CONCLUSION: We posit that appropriate use of the App can soon bring about a worldwide eradication of poliomyelitis.

Deployment of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 under emergency use listing in Nigeria: the rollout experience.

In 2011, a dedicated consortium of experts commenced work on the development of the novel oral poliovirus vaccine type 2 (nOPV2). After careful and rigorous analysis of data to enable early, targeted use of the vaccine, World Health Organization´s (WHO´s) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) reviewed data from accelerated clinical development of nOPV2 and endorsed entering assessment under WHO´s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) procedure. In November 2020, nOPV2 received an interim recommendation for use under EUL to enable rapid field availability and potential wider rollout of the vaccine. In December 2020, Nigeria initiated preparation to meet all criteria for initial use of nOPV2 in the country and the documentation process to verify meeting them. The process entailed addressing the status of meeting 25 readiness criteria in nine categories for nOPV2 use in Nigeria for response efforts to ongoing cVDPV2 outbreaks. During January-February 2021, Nigeria submitted the required documentation for all required indicators for nOPV2 initial use. In February 2021, the country obtained approval from the GPEI nOPV2 Readiness Verification Team to introduce nOPV2 and in March 2021, rolled out the novel vaccine in mass vaccination campaigns for outbreak response in Bayelsa, Delta, Niger, Sokoto and Zamfara states, and one area council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The lessons learned from this rollout experience in Nigeria are being applied as the country streamlines and strengthens the nOPV2 rollout process across the remaining states.