Reaching Zero-Dose children in the Solomon Islands: Technical assistance for Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services Extended Program on Immunisation

This project aims to reach unvaccinated (zero-dose) children and communities who have missed routine immunisation services in four provinces in Solomon Islands (Western, Malaita, Honiara and Guadalcanal), to address the barriers preventing access to vaccination.

May 2022 – April 2024

A thorough desk review was conducted alongside analysis of secondary data to identify un(der)-immunised communities and estimate the number of zero-dose children across the Solomon Islands. Ideation sessions were then conducted with key stakeholders to gain deeper insight into the reasons children are not receiving vaccinations. Interviews also considered the resources required for successful implementation and the long-term sustainability of such strategies. This information has been used to inform the strategies that will be implemented to reach un(der)-immunised communities in the four most populous provinces in Solomon Islands.

The newly devised strategies are expected to be implemented in 2023 and 2024 with the support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, in addition to local governmental and non-governmental organisations.

This effort will complement the ongoing work of Gavi partners in-country by specifically targeting un(der)-immunised children and communities, with a focus on groups that experience gender and other inequity barriers to immunisation access. The project will also support the Solomon Islands Government Ministry of Health and Medical Services in considering further actions to reach zero-dose populations and missed communities.