Potential for improving routine immunisation waste management using measles vaccination campaign 2017 in Kebbi State, Nigeria.

Background: Immunisation activities generate sharps and infectious non-sharp waste that have harmful impact on the community and health care workers if disposed of improperly, leading to carbon mono oxide (CO) emissions which contribute to global warming. Health care waste is not effectively managed, especially in some developing countries. However, measles supplemental immunisation activities (SIAs) are used to strengthen routine immunisation system, including waste management. The waste management planning provides an opportunity to build capacity, mobilize resources and strengthen structures to ensure continual disposal of routine immunisation waste.

Methods: We reviewed the Kebbi State and LGA routine immunisation waste management situation and identified existing gaps; developed and implemented the plan for waste management, including strengthening routine immunisation waste management. The process included, reactivation of measles technical coordination committee, mobilizing resources for funding, and sustenance of immunisation waste management. The health care workforce was trained in safe immunisation waste disposal practices.

Results: Immunisation waste management committee and the structure was established and strengthened at the state and LGA levels and a total cost of 11,710.70 USD was expended on injection waste management, with an average cost per injection of 0.01 USD. A total of 11,829 safety boxes were incinerated in the state, including those generated from routine immunisation sessions. Twenty-one Local Immunisation Officers, 1097 and 2192 team supervisors and healthcare worker vaccinators respectively were trained on immunisation waste disposal.

Conclusion: Immunisation waste management strategies protect healthcare workers and reduce the adverse impact on the environment. Improving key areas such as human and financial resources ensures accountability towards sustainable healthcare waste management.