• Comoros launches measles-rubella drive using digital tools
• Over 101,000 children targeted across three main islands
• Real-time data aims to boost coverage, speed up response

The Union of the Comoros launched its national measles and rubella vaccination campaign on Oct. 4, using digital tools for the first time. The initiative, supported by the WHO and partners in the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), is funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Officials say the shift to digital tools will transform data management and improve campaign efficiency.

“This innovation gives us real-time data to make strategic decisions and ensure the campaign’s success,” said Chamsa Halidi, EPI Coordinator for the Comoros.

Health workers are now using mobile devices equipped with the Open Data Kit (ODK) application, replacing traditional paper forms. Data collected in the field is instantly uploaded to interactive dashboards and maps, allowing daily tracking of team performance, rapid identification of low-coverage areas, and immediate corrective action.

 The campaign aims to vaccinate over 101,000 children across the islands of Ndzuwani, Ngazidja, and Mwali.

The digital rollout is part of a broader regional effort to improve equitable access to healthcare and strengthen health systems through innovation.

 Previous vaccination drives were hindered by data delays, entry errors, and uneven coverage, limiting oversight for national authorities.

By adopting these digital tools, the Ministry of Health and its partners aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and campaign effectiveness. Real-time monitoring will help resolve issues quickly, ensure that every targeted child is vaccinated, and improve planning for future campaigns.

Beyond measles and rubella, the initiative sets the stage for lasting digital transformation in Comoros’s public health programs, potentially serving as a model for other African island nations facing similar monitoring challenges.

Samira Njoya