Integrating health promotion and disease prevention interventions with vaccination in Honduras.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to review and describe health interventions integrated with immunization delivery, both routine and during national vaccination weeks, in Honduras between 1991 and 2009. METHODS: We compiled and examined all annual evaluation reports from the national Expanded Program on Immunization and reports from the national vaccination weeks (NVWs) between 1988 and 2009. We held discussions with the persons responsible for immunization and other programs in the Health Secretary of Honduras for the same time period. RESULTS: Since 1991, several health promotion and disease prevention interventions have been integrated with immunization delivery, including vitamin A supplementation (since 1994), folic acid supplementation (2003), early detection of retinoblastoma (since 2003), breastfeeding promotion (2007-2008), and disease control activities during public health emergencies, such as cholera control (1991-1992) and dengue control activities (since 1991, when a dengue emergency coincides with the NVW). Success factors included sufficient funds and supplies to ensure sustainability and joint planning, delivery, and monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: Several health interventions have been integrated with vaccination delivery in Honduras for nearly 20 years. The immunization program in Honduras has sufficient structure, organization, acceptance, coverage, and experience to achieve successful integration with health interventions if carefully planned and suitably implemented.

An overview of the National Consultative Council of Immunization in Honduras.

The State of Honduras instituted its technical advisory committee on immunization in response to recommendations made by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and the National Extended Program of Immunization (EPI). On 9 October 1999, the "National Consultative Council of Immunization" (NCCI) was established to provide support and recommendations to the EPI program for the eradication, elimination and control of vaccine-preventable diseases. The seven permanent members of the Council are all paediatricians. Additionally, there are liaison members (from PAHO, the national EPI team, and others) who participate in NCCI meetings when required. Meetings take place three times per year. The high quality of Council recommendations is demonstrated by the fact that the health authorities have adopted all of them.