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The IDEA review, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, draws on findings from nearly
550 documents—including published literature, working papers, project evaluations, and
reports—distilled and prioritized by global immunization experts. The resulting report provides a
concise guide for global and public health practitioners, explaining what works to improve data
quality and use, why it works, and how the immunization community can take evidence-based

action to improve immunization outcomes around the world.

“PATH and PAHO conducted the IDEA review to systematically gather available evidence and
identify where interventions are working to improve immunization data use and where we have

gaps in information,” said Laurie Werner, Global Director of the BID Initiative with PATH. “The
five strategies described by the review are intended to serve as a resource for all of us working
in the immunization community and help to advance and refine the efforts that are really
working.”

PATH and PAHO were supported in developing the IDEA review by a steering committee that
includes global and regional senior leaders in the areas of immunization, data quality, and data

use from the World Health Organization; United States Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention; United Nations Children’s Fund; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; and the Swiss Tropical
and Public Health Institute.

The IDEA review is being launched this week in conjunction with the Strategic Advisory Group
of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization meeting being held in Geneva, Switzerland. As the principle
advisory group to the WHO for vaccines and immunization, SAGE represents an important
stakeholder who can help translate the IDEA findings into practice.

#FindYourFinding

IDEA partners also launched the aligned #FindYourFinding interactive campaign, inviting
practitioners across the immunization and global health community to explore the IDEA review
and share how they plan to act on its findings. The campaign website, findyourfinding.org,
brings the strategies to life through testimonials from partners and supporters.

The use of high-quality data is a cornerstone of well-functioning immunization programs. Access
to accurate and complete data allows public health decision-makers to understand which
populations are underserved and where resources can be allocated most effectively. When
health workers have usable vaccine data, they can determine which children are due for a

vaccination and conduct the necessary outreach to ensure they visit the facility. This use of data
results in improved vaccine coverage and equity.