Providing information for decision-making in the Nigerian Polio Eradication Program, 2016-2020

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Vaccine-preventable diseases

Background:

• Nigeria's effort to interrupt wild poliovirus type-1 (WPV1) transmission.
• Response to WPV1 resurgence in 2016.
• Achieved WHO certification for WPV1 interruption in 2020.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate the role of the NEOC Data Working Group (DWG) in polio eradication.
• Assess the effectiveness of data-driven decision-making for supplementary immunization activities (SIAs).
• Document data quality and timeliness for Nigeria's polio certification.

Main Methods:

• Utilized pre-campaign dashboards for preparedness assessment (2016-2020).
• Analyzed administrative, independent monitoring, and Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) data.
• Assessed performance using a 90% LQAS threshold for quality SIAs.

Main Results:

• Preparedness levels ranged from 77% to 95% three days before campaigns.
• 25% of Local Government Areas (LGAs) failing LQAS required repeat vaccination.
• 12% of LGAs identified as high-risk for targeted interventions.

Conclusions:

• The NEOC DWG provided crucial, timely data for polio program decision-making.
• Evidence-based actions, including targeted interventions, contributed to WPV1 interruption.
• Data quality and analysis were vital for Nigeria's polio-free certification.