Governments around the world are under increasing pressure to modernize outdated digital systems, particularly immunisation systems, to target scarce resources more effectively. In response to this need, WHO launched the Immunisation Digital Adaptation Kit (DAK) in January 2025 as part of its SMART Guidelines initiative. The DAK offers a powerful, standards-based framework to help countries around the globe quickly scale modern, interoperable, and person-centered Electronic Immunisation Registries (EIRs) using reusable tools.
This spring, the Linked Immunisation Action Network hosted a two-part series exploring, in part 1, how the DAK can be used most effectively and in part 2, featuring the first countries leveraging the tool.
In the series, the speakers shared why they chose to use the DAK to modernize their EIRs and which components and tools they found most useful in real-world settings. They also discussed how by following this framework, the DAK has helped align immunisation policies and teams.
Speakers in both sessions emphasized the benefits of the DAK’s five-layer approach—spanning from policy alignment to machine-readable code to its use as a decision-making tool —and showcased how global and country partners are co-creating additional supporting tools and resources to accelerate the DAK’s adaptation in new countries.
Key Takeaways include:
- The DAK is more than guidance— it’s a blueprint. Its five interconnected layers help countries move from policy to action more inclusively, quickly, and efficiently with ability to scale.
- Useful across product and policy innovations. Peru built an offline app for remote areas in two months; Ghana used it to standardize processes and is shaping their full architecture off of its design and setting up a common repository; and Tanzania aligned its national systems across 6,000 facilities using the framework.
- Fosters user-centered design. All countries adapting the DAK found that involving frontline users and technical teams from day one improved usability, trust, and tool adoption. It also spurred new innovations.
- Countries are not alone. Implementing partners like PATH, GIZ, and PAHO have provided support in adapting the tool to local use and have in turn co-developed open-source tools—such as mobile EIR apps and training curricula—that are now available to other countries
- Collaborative learning techniques can help scale the DAK to new users. GIZ shared how they have under the Digital Innovation Pandemic Control (DIPC) have launched free training courses on the Atingi platform that countries can access and that they are now launching a community-based learning exchange (STICH) to foster extended collaborative learning efforts.
- Build momentum. Leaders advised starting with one use case—like immunisation—to build broad understanding of how the SMART guidelines can help create a true blueprint for broader health system reforms.
📣 The DAK and supporting tools are freely available and ready to use—offering a proven path for countries looking to modernize health systems and improve vaccine delivery.
📄 Explore the full write-up and webinar presentations.
Huge thanks to our speakers for transparently sharing what works—and what doesn’t as well as generously sharing valuable resources which can be re-used by other countries.