Perceptions, Challenges, and Operational Bottlenecks in Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network Implementation: A...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Supply Chain Management

Background:

• National assessments show the Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) reduces stock-outs and wastage.
• Improved cold-chain equipment performance and data-driven stock management are noted.
• Limited qualitative research exists on stakeholder perspectives of eVIN's routine implementation and challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore immunization stakeholders' perceptions of eVIN's benefits and challenges in Indore district.
• To identify operational bottlenecks within the eVIN system.
• To suggest system-level improvements for vaccine logistics and cold-chain performance.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive qualitative study in Indore district, Madhya Pradesh, India (Jan 2020 - Dec 2021).
• Total population sampling of eVIN stakeholders across 40 cold-chain points (CCPs).
• Face-to-face semi-structured interviews, transcribed and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis with investigator triangulation.

Main Results:

• Stakeholders reported improved real-time stock visibility, distribution efficiency, and temperature monitoring.
• Reduced vaccine wastage and standardized record-keeping were perceived benefits.
• Limitations included data entry dependence, lack of beneficiary data, resource shortages, poor connectivity, device issues, and record duplication.

Conclusions:

• eVIN was perceived to strengthen vaccine logistics and cold-chain monitoring in Indore.
• Workforce capacity, infrastructure, funding, and system integration remain persistent challenges.
• Addressing these gaps is crucial for optimal eVIN use and sustainability in routine immunization.