Case management, Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC)
Needs:
Preparedness measures to reduce the risk of a third wave.
Need to reach out to the refugees who moved after receiving the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in July and should already receive the second dose.
Shortage of the two types of vaccines.
Response:
In August, the Center for the Coordination of Public Health Emergency Operations (CCOUSP) operational research unit conducted a COVID-19 related survey in all regions including 6,500 participants. The survey aimed to determine the level of people’s immunity to COVID-19, estimate retrospective mortality due to the pandemic and measure vaccine hesitancy and its determinants.
UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), reported 226 cumulative cases of COVID-19 in the refugee community, including 196 contracted in 2021. Between April and August 2021, 9,039 refugees, representing four per cent of the adult refugee population, received the COVID-19 vaccine.
Gaps & Constraints:
Low vaccination coverage although the demand is rising after several awareness campaigns.
Mobility of the population (new arrivals, displacement...).
Lack of availability of vaccine doses in health centers far from health districts.
Astra Zeneca and Sinopharm vaccines are out of stock.
Lack of communication/awareness on preventive measures at the community level.
Low monitoring and surveillance system for the pandemic.
Challenges in maintaining the achievements and basic requirements: trained health care providers, appropriate health infrastructure, available hand washing points, medical equipment, etc.