Washington, D.C., November 5, 2025 (PAHO) – A new digital application, developed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in collaboration with Peru's Ministry of Health, is being used to improve the recording, management, and use of vaccination data in areas with limited internet access. The pilot of the Offline Immunization Digital Application was implemented in cross-border communities in Peru, specifically in the regions of Amazonas, Madre de Dios, and Loreto.
The “Vacuna Offline” application, developed under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) SMART Guidelines interoperability standards, enables health workers to record vaccination data directly at the point of care—even in locations without internet connectivity. Once a connection is available, the information automatically synchronizes with national health systems, ensuring timely and reliable data for planning and decision-making at all levels of the health system.
“The application represents not only progress for Peru but also for a potential digital public asset that can serve as a model for other countries in the region that are facing similar challenges,” said Piedad Huerta, Head of PAHO’s Country and Subregional Coordination Office, during the launch event held in Lima, Peru, last September.
As part of the pilot, a comparative analysis was conducted between traditional, paper-based records and the use of the digital application. The results show a 30% reduction in the time spent by health personnel on data entry, allowing more time to be dedicated to patient care.
The tool has proven particularly valuable for improving tracking and increasing vaccination coverage in settings that face logistical and connectivity challenges. It also includes key functionalities to improve data quality and traceability, representing a significant step beyond manual recordkeeping.
“The comparative analysis demonstrates the tool’s effectiveness and efficiency, showing how digital solutions can optimize immunization processes in low-connectivity environments,” added Huerta.
The development of this tool is part of the “Digital Innovation for Vaccination, Disease Prevention and Control in Cross-border Indigenous Communities: Amazon-Andean Proposal,” a project led by PAHO and Peru’s Ministry of Health, with strategic and financial support from German Development Cooperation, and implemented by GIZ in Peru. The initiative aims to strengthen local health information systems and advance the digital transformation of immunization services in hard-to-reach communities.
The experience of this project in the Andean Amazon region demonstrates how innovative approaches can improve the efficiency, coverage, and quality of immunization services—offering practical, scalable solutions that could be adapted and implemented in other countries across the Americas.
