Car-pooling –  an affordable option to facilitate immunization of children located in distant population

THE CHALLENGE

Distantly located immunization clinics along with lack of transport facilities impact uptake of immunization services. 

The urban-rural disparities with restricted women mobilization add-on to accessibility barriers, impacting immunization coverage.

OUR APPROACH

IRD introduced an exclusive, women-only immunization carpool service in district Shikarpur, a rural setting of Sindh, Pakistan. 

Immunization carpool vehicles named Sehat Savari were deployed at catchment sites of four selected immunization facilities. 

Community mobilization was done by revamping carpool vehicles using banners and playing jingles. Awareness sessions were also conducted for community sensitization and service uptake.

IMPACT

Sehat Savari facilitated multiple immunization visits of 2,391 children.  

Almost all women (99%) expressed the need for carpool services and showed satisfaction towards the service quality. The majority of women reported that the service reduced their dependency on household members for transportation. 

Sehat Savari was successful in increasing immunization coverage for various antigens of n up to 38% and timeliness of up to 18%.