GAVI released an update on Immunisation Services Support (ISS) after a review by an independent task team around “the quality of data and the resulting estimates of coverage that this performance-based programme relies upon.”

GAVI said team members included academics and technical experts from a range of institutions, including the University of Aberdeen and the Harvard School of Public Health, the World Bank, and UNAIDS, among others. From December to March, the team “assessed the metrics that are currently used to measure ISS delivery and performance, reviewed relevant data collection sources and systems and compared these with alternative processes. Upon completion of its final meeting in February, the team produced a series of recommendations for GAVI.

The experts “agreed that there exists no single ‘gold standard’ for measuring the effectiveness of aid programme results and performance. The team recommended that GAVI continue to use the annual estimates compiled by WHO and UNICEF that relies on multiple data sources to monitor progress of immunisation programmes and calculate reward payments.” The experts also advised GAVI “to support the strengthening of the WHO/UNICEF estimation process to ensure systematic and transparent use of all data sources and made a number of specific recommendations to strengthen that process.

In order to provide an incentive to countries to increase immunisation coverage, as opposed to just the number of children immunised, the experts also recommended that future reward calculations be based in part on the number of children immunised and in part on the proportion of children immunised.”

The task team also recommended that GAVI “consider the reinstatement of ISS payments as soon as possible, whilst continuing to work with countries GAVI has identified as having data discrepancies.” At a meeting in early March, GAVI agreed to lift the suspension of ISS payments to all countries except for seven, which require further analysis. (GAVI originally identified 12 countries with discrepancies but removed five from the list after assessing their data collection processes and recognising that significant upgrades and improvements have been made which should prevent major discrepancies in the future.) The GAVI Alliance, in particular through the Health Metrics Network, WHO and UNICEF, is working with these remaining countries to address the data issues identified.

Further details on the review and recommendations at: http://www.gavialliance.org/media_centre/statements/25_03_09_UpdateonImmunisationServicesSupport_March.php