Effective vaccine management (EVM) assessment in Fiji
The introduction of pneumococcal, rotavirus and human papilloma virus vaccines will take place in the fourth quarter of 2012 in Fiji. For this, health care facilities depend on efficient and effective supply chain systems to store, transport and distribute these expensive vaccines. In order to maintain high standards of performance in these areas, the first country-wide immunization supply chain assessment was carried out from 9-22 May 2012 to assess the vaccine supply chain, current and future immunization programme needs and to provide ways in making planned enhancements and improvements to the existing system in Fiji.
A total of 34 facilities were randomly selected for EVM assessment categorized as: primary vaccine store, 11 out of 19 sub-divisional vaccine stores, 22 out of 170 health centres and nursing stations that provide vaccination services. There are examples of good practices in the vaccine supply chain of Fiji against major EVM indicators on which strengths can be built upon.
As the next step, there is a need to draw up an advocacy plan for decision-makers to ensure the will and commitment to mobilize resources for funding the plan and its implementation. For this, a recommendation has been made to establish a technical working group consisting of Ministry of Health (EPI) and key immunization partners in Fiji to ensure the resource mobilization and technical implementation is on-track.