Purpose of the Consultancy

The main objective of this consultancy is to provide technical assistance to national and subnational stakeholders to ensure quality preparation, implementation, and monitoring to reach at least 95% uniform coverage in the 2024 Lao PDR National Measles-Rubella Supplementary Immunization Activity (MR SIA), as well as to utilize the opportunity to strengthen routine immunization during the SIA.

Background

Measles immunization was introduced in Lao PDR in 1984 and was switched to the MR vaccine in 2011. The second dose of the MR vaccine was introduced in November 2017 and the current schedule provides the first-dose MR vaccine (MR1) for infants aged 9 to <12 months and the second-dose MR vaccine (MR2) for children aged 12 to 18 months. MR1 vaccination coverage through routine immunization has increased from 69% in 2011 to 82% in 2017 [1]. Between 2015 and 2018, measles case incidence dropped from approximately 300 cases per million population which occurred in the early 2000s to less than 10 per million. However, since the beginning of 2019, large-scale measles outbreaks have occurred across the country. In 2019, 1280 cases were reported among school-aged children and high-risk districts. In 2020 there were over 130 measles cases reported [2], however the reporting of measles cases was largely muted worldwide with COVID-19 pandemic impacts on vaccine-preventable disease surveillance.

To close the immunity gaps and prevent measles outbreaks in the country. Lao PDR is planning a nationwide MR SIA in May 2024. To ensure the high quality of the MR SIA rollout, the WHO Country Office (CO) is seeking a consultation to support the coordination of the MR SIA. The consultant is expected to lead the coordination and collaboration among MOH, WHO, UN partners, National AEFI Committee and other relevant stakeholders as well as subnational technical assistants on the overall MR SIA activities.

Deliverables

•  Assist with the formation and facilitation of a technical working group/campaign cell with the National Immunization Program, WHO, UNICEF, CHAI and other concerned partners for management, planning, training, communications, and evaluation of the MR SIA.
• Technical assistance and oversight for developing high quality district and sub-district microplanning for the National MR SIA with a special focus on health center level microplanning, and identification of high-risk areas.
• Technical assistance for coverage mapping, logistic planning, injection safety, waste management and monitoring /response for adverse events following immunization (AEFI).
• Technical assistance for facilitating coordination between province & district health offices, NGOs, INGOs, civil society organizations and other partners to ensure establishment and operation of provincial and district level coordination committees.
• Technical assistance for training and orientation of health staff, and advocacy at province, district, and sub-heath centre levels.
• Developing, coordinating, and implementing a monitoring plan for National, PHO/ DHO and Health centre levels:
  • Pre-campaign readiness assessment using the predefined checklist as adopted for Lao PDR (SIA assessment tools) and provide necessary feedback, and correction to the national and subnational level.
  • Intra-campaign monitoring using a predefined supervisory/implementation checklist to identify operational problems/challenges and rapid convenience monitoring (RCM) to identify areas of low coverage and vaccine hesitancy.
  • Post-campaign monitoring using Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) to ascertain level of coverage in selected areas.

• Technical assistance to the subnational level to strengthen routine immunization, specifically utilizing the MR SIA as an opportunity for identification of defaulters, and underserved areas then ensure proper follow-up and development of the plan of action (POA) to improve routine immunization activities.
• Assist and monitor the flow and distribution of vaccine, logistics, training, and IEC materials and assist in developing communication plans (including social media).
• Advocacy for case-based surveillance for measles and rubella at all levels using the BIAN as an opportunity.
• Providing regular feedback to the national EPI staff, PHO, and the WHO team

Deliverables 1: English version of the training materials and monitoring tools for the 2024 MR SIA
Deliverables 2: Monthly reports
Deliverables 3: Interim 2024 MR SIA report
Deliverables 4: Intra-campaign and post-campaign/mop-up plan
Deliverables 5: Final Report on the 2024 MR SIA

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree in public health or other health-related is required.
Desirable: Master’s degree of public health or higher education in public health.

Experience

Essential: Minimum 5 years of experience in the managing immunization programme.
Desirable: At least 5 years of experience in working in resource-limited settings. Experience in managing SIA in resource-limited settings is desired

Language

Expert knowledge of English

Location

Off site: Home-based
Off site for the planning and preparation phase, on site based on demand from the NIP

On site during the SIA period

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration:TBD
Expected duration of contract: 8 months, 15 March to 15 November 2024

Additional information

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