• Comoros launches measles-rubella drive with real-time digital tracking
• Campaign targets 101,330 children across three main islands
• Mobile data tools aim to boost coverage, speed, and accountability

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, the Union of the Comoros began its national measles and rubella vaccination campaign, introducing advanced digital tools. The initiative, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners in the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), is funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

 “The digitalization of our tools is a major innovation. It will allow us to have real-time information to make strategic decisions and guarantee the success of the campaign,” said Chamsa Halidi, EPI Coordinator in the Comoros.

Health workers are now equipped with mobile devices running the Open Data Kit (ODK) platform, replacing paper forms. Data entered in the field are instantly centralized and displayed on interactive dashboards and geospatial maps. The system allows officials to assess team performance daily, identify under-covered areas, and adjust operations immediately. The campaign aims to vaccinate over 101,330 children across the three main islands: Ndzuwani, Ngazidja, and Mwali.

The initiative is part of a regional effort to reduce inequalities in access to care and strengthen health systems through innovation. Past campaigns were hampered by delays in data processing, entry errors, and uneven coverage across the islands, relying on paper collection that offered limited performance monitoring and insufficient visibility for national decision-makers.

By using these digital tools, the Ministry of Health and its partners aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency. Real-time monitoring is expected to enable rapid correction of anomalies, help ensure all children are vaccinated, and optimize planning for future interventions.

Beyond measles and rubella, this effort lays the groundwork for the sustained digitalization of public health programs and could serve as a model for other African island nations facing similar health monitoring and management challenges.

Samira Njoya