WHO and health authorities in North Macedonia are redoubling efforts to give everyone the opportunity to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and avert further backsliding in routine immunization. By introducing the Reaching Every District (RED) immunization programme, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) North Macedonia, WHO and partners are working to increase COVID-19 and routine immunization coverage across the country.
“The lower the vaccine coverage, the more vulnerable a community is to any possible outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Dr Anne Johansen, WHO Special Representative in North Macedonia and ad interim Head of the WHO Country Office. “We are piloting the RED immunization programme in 12 municipalities across the country, aiming to reach in particular the most at-risk groups, such as the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions.”
Microplanning
In the past few months, experts from the International Children’s Center in Türkiye, designated as the WHO Collaborating Centre on Immunization Training and Advocacy, held 2 workshops on implementation of the RED programme for around 50 immunization managers from across North Macedonia.
The health professionals are now equipped with new knowledge and skills to strengthen the quality of immunization services, increase immunization coverage and introduce microplanning at the district and health facility level.
Creating microplans enables health professionals to identify local problems and adopt tailor-made corrective solutions in their districts. Based on the impact of the activities and the evolving epidemiological situation, the action plans will be reviewed and updated as needed.
“COVID-19 remains a grave threat to those who remain unvaccinated, and all the while we are witnessing a large drop in childhood immunization,” added Dr Johansen. “If we don’t prioritize immunization and relieve pressure on the health system, there will be more deaths.”
The RED approach: reaching the unreached
The RED approach was developed and introduced by WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners in GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, to improve immunization systems in areas with low coverage. RED aims to strengthen district and health facility capacity to:
- produce high quality microplans
- increase immunization coverage and reduce drop-outs for infants and pregnant women
- identify and target the unreached
- regularly use data to monitor and follow up at all levels.
WHO will continue to support North Macedonia’s health authorities to ensure the continuity of essential health services and build a more resilient health system, not only to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, but also to ensure readiness for any future health emergencies.