Globalizing digital immunization systems for the sustainable development goals: a perspective

While most existing digital immunization systems lack mechanisms to capture high fidelity real-time data to respond to current needs; many others are not designed to support interoperability and data sharing across the continuum of care for the health Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this paper, we used the World Health Organization (WHO) Digital Documentation of COVID-19 Certificates (DDCC) as a proxy to demonstrate and operationalize how an efficient digital immunization system could strengthen service delivery and optimize outcomes for the SDGs. This paper appraises the technical, ethical and cultural considerations for establishing DDCC and how it can be operationalized among national health systems. It demonstrates how digital health investments can support routine immunization for the SDGs and highlights the critical role global health leadership plays in shaping reforms for national digital transformation agenda. The adoption and institutionalization of digital immunization systems offer opportunities to bridge multiple information solutions and strengthen immunization service delivery towards sustainable outcomes for the SDGs. Thus, it is recommended that Development partners and implementers jointly work with governments to shape the national digital health ecosystem that connects multiple healthcare journeys for the sustainable immunization agenda 2030.