Closing the Immunization Gap: How a Municipality Is Reaching Every Child?
"We often knew children were missing vaccines - but not who or where. This project gave us the tools to finally reach them.”
- Suvash Regmi, Public Health Inspector, Bhanu Municipality
Background
In the hills of Tanahun District, Nepal, Bhanu Municipality is taking a step to solve one of immunization’s toughest challenges: reaching zero-dose children - those who have never received a single vaccine.
With support from the Pfizer Foundation through the Global Health Innovation Grant (GHIG), the Bhanu Zero-Dose Project is leveraging a powerful blend of community trust and digital innovation to find and vaccinate children who were previously invisible to the health system.
The project began with inclusive microplanning, bringing together mayors, ward chairs, health officers, and Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) to map out underserved areas and develop tailored vaccine delivery strategies.
To support real-time tracking of zero-dose and under-immunized children, Bhanu integrated a digital child-tracking module into its existing eHMIS 4.2 platform. Parents received SMS reminders for vaccination days, while mobile vaccination teams were deployed to remote areas - particularly during the monsoon season, when access was most difficult.
A combination of strategic planning, capacity building, and grassroots engagement made the approach effective and replicable:
Health workers and FCHVs were trained in the use of digital tracking, vaccine communication, and eHMIS reporting
Local stakeholders helped identifying, mapping and reaching marginalized households
eHMIS 4.2 upgrades, SMS alerts, and real-time tracking
Vaccines delivered to hard-to-reach areas if found un-vaccinated or under-vaccinated
Regular stakeholder meetings helped reduce vaccine hesitancy
Bhanu Municipality’s success offers valuable lessons for other municipalities aiming to close the immunization gap:
- Continue integrating zero-dose tracking into eHMIS platforms
- Expand mobile vaccine services in hard-to-reach areas
- Invest in digital literacy training for FCHVs
- Institutionalize SMS reminders for caregivers
- Standardize microplanning for equitable vaccine access
Its experience is a compelling reminder that even in remote corners of the world, the right mix of tools, training, and trust can ensure that every child is counted and vaccinated.
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