Africa: Integrating Vitamin A Supplementation with Immunization

The unexpected resurgence of polio in West Africa prompted the temporary re-instatement of National Immunization Days in several countries. In Burkina Faso , this encouraged the government to integrate vitamin A supplementation with two campaigns in 2004, reaching more than two million children each time – a very high level of coverage. Working with Helen Keller International, MI invested in critical training support, social mobilization and supervision activities. Supervision proved to be key for the timely identification of stock-outs, and decreased the numbers of children who might otherwise have missed the opportunity to receive a vitamin A dose. Based on this experience, future investments have supported improved integration of vitamin A with the expanded program of immunization and preparation for integrating supplementation into a Child Health Week planned for late 2005.