Revolutionizing Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 Response through Efficient Vaccination Tracking
The battle against the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka has witnessed a remarkable achievement in the form of the national COVID-19 surveillance system. Developed on the DHIS2 platform, this information system has played a pivotal role in epidemiological monitoring, outbreak control, and ensuring the efficient distribution of vaccines across the country. With its ability to track the vaccination rate in all regions, including remote areas, the system has enabled health authorities to identify areas in need of greater vaccination efforts. Moreover, it has facilitated the issuance of the digital Smart Vaccination Certificate (SVC), which has become mandatory for international travel and other activities.
Collaborative Efforts and Unmatched Expertise
The success of Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 immunization tracker can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of multiple organizations. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Sri Lanka partnered with the Health Information Systems Programme Sri Lanka, the University of Oslo’s core District Health Information Software (DHIS2) developers’ community in Norway, and the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka to develop the COVID-19 immunization tracker. This collaboration ensured that the tracker was designed based on the WHO/United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) 2020 Guidance on Developing a National Deployment and Vaccination Plan for COVID-19 Vaccines.
Unraveling the Mechanism of the Immunization Tracker
The immunization tracker, built on the free and open-source DHIS2 platform, revolutionized the process of vaccine administration. It recorded crucial data such as the date of each vaccine dose and information on any adverse effects. With this primary data source, health authorities could measure vaccine coverage based on geographical area, age, gender, priority groups, and specific vaccine products. The tracker generated comprehensive and customizable dashboards, accessible at different levels, from local vaccination centers to district, provincial, and national authorities, enabling them to monitor and analyze vaccination data effectively. Additionally, the tracker served as a platform for generating and disseminating the SVC.
Key Achievements of the Immunization Tracker
The implementation of the immunization tracker produced significant achievements in Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign:
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Real-time Data Analysis: The tracker provided accurate, real-time, and disaggregated data, facilitating monitoring and evaluation of the vaccination process.
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Targeted Vaccination Efforts: By measuring vaccine uptake and coverage across different geographical areas and target groups, the tracker ensured a focused approach to vaccination.
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Streamlined SVC Delivery: The tracker played a vital role in providing the SVC according to national policies and meeting travel and other requirements.
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Extensive Data Utilization: The availability of reliable data through the tracker enabled coverage surveys, safety and disease surveillance, and vaccine effectiveness studies.
Easy Registration and User-Friendly Interface
To ensure seamless registration, the immunization tracker harnessed data from Sri Lanka’s National Election Database, pre-registering sixteen million records in the system. User-interfaces and data flow were simplified, accompanied by one-page user guides, standard operating procedures, vaccination system performance monitoring solutions, and concise data entry training videos. This approach facilitated the nationwide rollout of vaccination registration within a short period.
Empowering Stakeholders with Data Analysis Tools and Training
The immunization tracker employed a range of standard and built-in analytic tools within DHIS2, empowering stakeholders to perform basic and advanced data analysis. Automated basic data analysis was visualized through pivot tables, graphs, charts, and geographic information system (GIS) maps on customizable dashboards. Stakeholders were also provided with training on advanced data analytics, allowing them to develop their own dashboards based on specific needs.
The Smart Vaccination Certificate (SVC)
An integral component of the immunization tracker, the SVC underwent significant enhancements under the leadership of the technical team from the WHO Country Office. Developed in line with WHO guidelines, the SVC incorporated a cryptographically verifiable QR code generated through the Digital Infrastructure for Vaccination Open Credentialing (DIVOC) server. Furthermore, the SVC was disseminated to individuals through SMS and email.
A Dual Impact: Protecting Lives and Boosting the Economy
The development of the immunization tracker brought about two pivotal benefits:
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National and Sub-national Monitoring: The tracker ensured meticulous monitoring of COVID-19 vaccination coverage at both national and sub-national levels.
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Economic Revival: The SVC portal, serving as a verification tool, played a critical role in reviving the economy by facilitating international travel and trade. It also provided vital support for Sri Lankans seeking employment opportunities abroad.
With the elimination of the need to visit Medical Officer of Health offices, the immunization tracker significantly reduced the risk of contracting COVID-19. The simplified and streamlined SVC issuance process through the online portal improved accountability and alleviated the workload for Ministry of Health staff.
Photo Credit: ©WHO Country Office in Sri Lanka
