Polio Immunization in Nigeria Part 1 - DOPV(Directly Observed Polio Vaccination)

Nigeria is one of the largest country in Africa with different tribes and different ethnic behaviors. Much is expected from our country Nigeria in all areas of life since we are known to be the "Giants of Africa".

Health is Wealth as they say and I quote "Sick people barely acheive their dreams". Staying healthy should never been an option but a must.

Digression is not allowed
In this article I will in details tell you about my experience as a Monitor in the Directly Observed Polio Vaccination(DOPV) that took place while I was still a corp member in Kaduna state, but before I do that let's know all we need to know about DOPV.

* What is DOPV?

DOPV is an acronym for Directly Observed Polio Vaccination: It is an immunization scheme sponsored by World Health Organization to immunize children from the age of five (5) years and below protecting them from polio virus attack which is responsible for some crippled children who turn adults as cripples. The exercise is termed Directly Observed Polio Vaccination because involves directly monitoring of the polio exercise by external monitor of which I was one of the monitors.

* Aim of DOPV

To reach and vaccinate chronically missed children. This are children who are always not vaccinated during the normal House to House polio vaccination due to:

1. Non compliance
2. Missed house hold
3. Concealed non-compliance
4. Finger marked and child not vaccinated

* DOPV Team Composition

• Team Supervisor - Supervises the entire team work. He or she is the head of the team.
• OPV vaccinator - Gives vaccines to children.
• Entertainer - Plays music and dances as a form of creating awareness and drawing children's attention
• Community Head - Indigene of the community to help win confidence and trust from the people in that particular community.
  NOTE: The DOPV monitor is not part of the team. The monitor observes the DOPV strategy, makes correction where necessary. A monitor can work with two or more teams as the case may be.

* Guidelines for the DOPV Exercise

• 4 member per team
• Take-off time 8AM and Close time 2PM GMT+1
• Entertainer must accompany the team at time
• Give 2 OPV drops to all eligible children
• Finger mark left little finger
• Tally Immediately: This is used to keep records of number of children vaccinated in a tally format.
• Give only one plus either whistle, sweet or milk sachet to mothers or children: Pluses are form of incentives or compensation given to children for agreeing to be immunized.
• Team do not enter houses except if social event in the house
• Follow Daily Implementation Plan (DIP) and cover all areas.

* Things to do before take-off by the Monitor

• Before take-off, make sure you check the daily implementation plan (DIP).
• Remember that children from 0 - 24 months will be given milk while children from 2 years and above will be given sweets.
• 25 vials of vaccines are expected to be given to each team or at least 20 vials of vaccines.
• One vial is equivalent to 20 children

1 vial = 20 or 19 children

• Maximum number of milk sachet to be given = 240 sachets per day
• DIP - Daily Implementation Plan must be available.

* Place to vaccinate

Streets, markets, social event houses, water points, koranic/islamic school.

Anticipate for the Part 2 of this topic: Where I will give details of the exercise encounter and challenges with funny Images.

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