EHAI Nigeria, with funding from the Pfizer Foundation’s Global Health Innovative Grant Round 8 (GHIG 8), is implementing a project to digitize the routine immunization process, aimed at reducing zero-dose and under-immunization among under-5 children in Nigeria. This pilot project, to our knowledge, is the first fully integrated routine immunization digitization solution in Nigeria. The Automated Digitized Immunization System (ADIS) project is being piloted in 12 PHCs and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, in Ilorin East LGA, Kwara State, and it entails the digitization of the paper-based National Immunization Register and Child Health Card into an Electronic Immunization Register (EIR) with an ANC registration interphase that tracks children from pregnancy to ensure they enrolled into the routine immunization program on delivery.
ADIS is a free and open-source platform available on the Web and Mobile devices. It is packed with essential features designed to enhance the immunization process and facilitates the migration of vaccination histories from the National Immunization Register (NIR). ADIS also offers a dynamic dashboard displaying key immunization indicators for analysis and gaining of insight to aid real-time decision-making.
Outstanding features of the ADIS solution include replacement of the manual “tickler box” with an automated system that generates and shares line lists of children due for vaccination with HCWs 24 hours before the appointments. The system also automatically generates and shares upcoming vaccination appointment reminders with caregivers via SMS. Scripted Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) messages are shared with caregivers for sensitization and promotion of immunization uptake. The DIS solution further supports tracking defaulters via automated generation of line list of children who missed their appointments, with Community Volunteers (CVs) for follow-up at the community level. By digitizing the entire system, the solution not only saves time but also guarantees that no child is overlooked due to missed or misplaced paper records.
Within four months of this transformative project, which is fully integrated into the National Routine Immunization System in Ilorin East LGA of Kwara State, we have achieved remarkable milestones. The paper-based Immunization Registers and Child Health Cards have been digitized into the EIR. The digital Antenatal Care (ANC) interface further enables healthcare workers to track pregnant women by their Expected Delivery Dates (EDD) and seamlessly link newborns to immunization clinics for enrollment. We have built the capacity of 65 healthcare workers, 12 data associates from the PHCs, and 24 community volunteers in Ilorin East LGA on the effective utilization of the EIR and its automated features.
The project has established a secure database with accurate and complete immunization records for over 15,000 children. Automated SMS reminders notify caregivers of upcoming vaccination appointments, while healthcare workers receive automatically generated line lists for scheduled vaccination appointments. Community volunteers also receive defaulter line lists via email, facilitating timely follow-ups and enhancing healthcare delivery.
EHAI hopes to scale this innovative solution across Nigeria, extending the benefits of digital immunization tracking and improving healthcare delivery. This initiative not only boosts immunization coverage but also strengthens healthcare systems, paving the way for improved health outcomes and a healthier future for children nationwide.