The START team gathered evidence on the feasibility, rationale, and impact of introducing or strengthening a 6-month visit within routine immunization programs. The team developed a comprehensive landscape matrix capturing schedules across 57 Gavi-supported countries, documenting existing visits, interventions (such as malaria vaccination, vitamin A supplementation, and growth monitoring), and adherence data when available.
In parallel, the team conducted in-depth case studies to highlight country experiences with schedule shifts and integrated service delivery. Case studies included Bangladesh’s introduction and subsequent reversal of an 18-week visit to support PCV rollout, South Africa’s shift of the MCV series from 12 and 18 months to 6 and 12 months, Ghana’s integration of the malaria vaccine with other services, and Myanmar’s early adoption of a 6-month visit. The project directly engaged with EPI managers, pediatricians, and global health experts to gather insights on drivers of schedule changes, operational challenges, and opportunities for leveraging immunization visits as broader child health wellness platforms.
Deliverables included the landscape matrix, a summary report including in-depth case studies, and a comprehensive slide deck. Insights generated by the team will inform global and country-level discussions on routine immunization schedule optimization and the strategic value of the 6-month visit.
