[Mapping, profile and training of immunization stakeholders, Benin, 2020]. / Cartographie, profil et formation des acteurs de la vaccination, Bénin, 2020.

Introduction: The Benin Immunization and Logistic Directorate commissioned this study to provide evidence-based data to improve the performance of the Expanded Programme on Immunization. The objectives were to identify immunization stakeholders, describe their profile, their geographical distribution and determine their training needs. Methods: In December 2020, we conducted a census of Benin's immunization stakeholders via their administrative files and telephone interviews. The data were collected in each departmental directorate and health zone by focal points using an Excel® grid. The authorizations of the ethics and personal data protection committees were obtained. Results: We identified 3, 893 immunization workers, 39 years old on average, 66% of whom were women, 53% were health care assistants, 77% were vaccinators, and 56% were government contract workers. About 96% of them worked in peripheral centers. Approximately 56% were untrained and 14% had been untrained for more than 5 years. More than half of the actors were not trained for their function. The proportion of actors needing training was estimated at 70%. The training needs were at least 72% in the departmental hospitals, zone hospitals and health centers. 98% of actors reported a need for training, including immunization (74%), vaccine management (69%), cold chain (61%), monitoring (61%), and maintenance (47%). Conclusion: The predominance of nurses' aides and women and the low proportion of trained personnel among immunization workers were also observed in other sub-Saharan African countries. Benin's Immunization and Logistics Directorate should mobilize sufficient resources to strengthen the technical capacities of the majority of immunization stakeholders.

[Technical support and the immunization program performance in Côte d'Ivoire]. / Assistance technique et performance du programme de vaccination en Côte d'Ivoire.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of a technical support aiming to improve vaccine program performance in the 10 health districts (HDs) of Côte d'Ivoire, in which the largest numbers of children not vaccinated against measles were registered. METHOD: These HDs benefited between June 2016 and May 2017, from four quarterly supportive supervisions along with technical support in health logistics and data management and quality. We had followed the evolution of the key indicators in each targeted HD and compared them to the other HDs. RESULTS: The measles containing vaccine coverage (MCVC) had increased and exceeded 80% in 8 out of 10 the targeted HDs. The increase of this MCVC was higher in the targeted HDs (12 points versus 3 points). The number of children not vaccinated against measles had been reduced by 66% and in 8 out of 10 HDs. The global drop-out rate decreased by 13 points in the targeted HDs, whereas it increased by 1 point in the other HDs.The timeliness increased and was more than 80% in 9 of the 10 targeted HDs. The increase of this timeliness was better in the targeted HDs (35 points versus 25 points). The overall quality index was higher in the targeted HDs (90% versus 82%) and the score per component for targeted HDs was better. CONCLUSION: This technical support has have an positive effect on the vaccine performance of targeted HDs. The current challenge is to scale up this type of intervention to all districts in the country.