Gavi takes the need for independent evaluation of its programmes extremely seriously. It is vital that we understand how vaccination programmes are being implemented, what they are achieving, the obstacles to immunisation that individual countries face and the impact that Gavi support is having on the lives of children and adults.

Bangladesh, Mozambique, Ugandaand Zambia are taking part in the Full Country Evaluations project, which is running from 2013. Local research institutions are partnering with the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and PATH to collect information, data and evidence to help improve immunisation programmes. Results and findings from these evaluations will be made available on the Gavi website throughout the evaluation period.

KEY PRINCIPLES OF THE FULL COUNTRY EVALUATIONS

• Real-time data – Timely and systematic feedback to country stakeholders and Gavi for program improvement
• Country-driven approach – evaluation led by in-country researchers reflecting the needs of country partners
• Sustainability – Strengthen country capacity and create a sustainable monitoring and evaluation structure that can be used for other purposes
• Efficiency – Leverage and build upon existing monitoring and evaluation activities and avoid duplication
• Flexibility – adaptive evaluation approach

SCOPE AND EVALUATION METHODS

The evaluations will examine factors that influence successful immunisation programmes, obstacles to strengthening them, and the contribution of Gavi to improvements. Gavi’s support for new and underused vaccines will be assessed, along with cash-based support to countries. The scope and methods employed will vary to some extent across the four countries, but will include:

• Process evaluation methods (key informant interviews, stakeholder network analysis, process tracking, focus groups, observation etc)
• Resource tracking
• Facility and household surveys
• Vaccine effectiveness studies, including innovative methods such as the use of biomarkers
• Small-area analysis, for example, at the district level of key indicators such as immunisation coverage and child mortality

THE EVALUATION COALITION

Following a competitive bidding process, a coalition led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation , University of Washington was selected to conduct these evaluations in the four countries. The other members of the coalition include:

• Bangladesh : International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research (icddr,b), Bangladesh  
• Mozambique: University of Eduardo Mondlane ; Health Alliance International ; Manhica Health Research Centre ; National Institute of Health
• Uganda: Infectious Disease Research Collaboration (IDRC) affiliated with University of Makarere
• Zambia: University of Zambia  
• PATH