Introducing protection at birth (pab) method of monitoring tetanus-diphtheria (td) vaccination coverage of mothers in Ghana

The use of the protection-at birth (PAB) method to assess tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccination status of mothers in the routine immunization program is not yet introduced in Ghana. PAB is rather estimated using the WHO-UNICEF model which is currently at 88%. As part of efforts to introduce the PAB method in the routine immunization reporting system in the country, WHO supported the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to pilot the PAB method in two districts (Wassa East and Mpohor) in the Western region between April and September 2014. The pilot was not to evaluate the WHO-UNICEF model of estimation but to explore the feasibility of introducing and implementing the natural PAB process of data collection and analysis into the country’s routing monthly data collection process. The main objective was to document the process, challenges and cost implications for introducing the PAB method as a primary data source at the health facility level in the country.