Creating an innovative and cost-effective system to improve documentation and timeliness of routine immunizations in Kenya

James Njeru of the Field Epidemiology Society of Kenya in Kenya will develop a simple electronic system using basic phone technology that registers the birth and immunizations of all children in Kenya, and can send vaccination reminders. At present, childhood vaccinations are often missed or given late in Kenya, which causes substantial health problems. Electronically recording all births would enable vaccinations to be better tracked and reminders to be sent on time to parents, but has been problematic because internet and computer access is often limited. They will build the system using Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) that requires only a regular mobile phone, which are more widely available than internet access and computers. Both home and hospital births and all vaccinations can then be easily recorded by mobile phone, and timely vaccination reminders sent to local health administrators. They will test the system in a district with around 3,000 annual births.