Reaching the unreached in selected countries
MCHIP focuses on strengthening routine immunization services at national and sub-national levels to identify and reach the unreached. MCHIP works with countries to identify and prioritize low-performing populations and to operationalize the Reaching Every District approach (RED)¹.

Using immunization outreach as a platform for routine delivery of other interventions
As a population-based intervention that aims to operate at scale, an immunization program delivers services through a combination of fixed and outreach strategies to reach the population. MCHIP assists a number of countries in customizing outreach strategies that build upon this platform to deliver multiple interventions.

Introducing new and underutilized vaccines
MCHIP provides technical support to countries as they prepare for the introduction of new life-saving vaccines. This includes assisting them with introduction plans, applications to the GAVI Alliance, preparations for and the phasing of vaccine introduction and monitoring and post-introduction evaluation.

Supporting vaccine-preventable disease interventions, including polio eradication and measles mortality reduction
Success in disease control or eradication programs requires matched efforts in routine immunization, which is MCHIP’s niche. MCHIP provides technical support in this area to ensure that the health system is functional, staff are supported, and operational and programmatic needs are in place and funded to safely provide the vaccines and target all eligible children.

Linking immunization with other interventions
MCHIP is exploring how best to link immunization services with the delivery of other interventions and with shared program functions such as monitoring and evaluation.

Preparing and responding to pandemic H1N1 influenza
MCHIP provides complementary technical assistance in support of the WHO response to pandemic H1N1 influenza – including assistance to countries in operationalizing, customizing, and monitoring their vaccination programs in light of WHO policy and guidelines and within a continually evolving environment.

Providing technical support at global and regional levels
The project works closely with international organizations and links its country programming to important global and regional initiatives, such as the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), the WHO/UNICEF Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS), the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the Measles Initiative, and others.