Dear Theresa,
Thank you for raising this excellent question and very important concern.
Here are some suggestions that you can explore and further contextualize to your local situation:
Hoping these suggestions help!
Best regards,
Jun, from the WHO Demand and Behavioural Sciences Team
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*The IAG is an Islamic consortium that was established in 2013 between Al Azhar Al Sharif, the IIFA, the OIC and the IsDB and includes other religious scholars and technical experts. The objective of the IAG is to raise awareness about priority health issues among local communities by aligning technical and religious perspectives and leveraging religious scholars, mosque imams and community influencers.
Some useful links:
I greatly appreciate Jun Ryan Orbina's insightful response. I believe it's essential to extend our efforts beyond communities like yours and engage with those who prioritize private clinics for their children's vaccinations while hesitating to participate in vaccination campaigns.
To achieve this, I would emphasize the importance of involving community leaders, including religious figures, wise community members, and representatives, in the campaign's preparation. Their support can play a pivotal role in garnering trust and participation.
Additionally, it's crucial to recruit nurses or doctors from within this community whom they can trust and integrate into our team. This step would help bridge the gap between healthcare providers and the community, fostering a sense of familiarity and trust.
In our interactions with the community, we must uphold honesty and openness, welcoming any questions or concerns they may have. Sharing data that substantiates our goals and intentions can further build credibility and alleviate doubts.
Moreover, adopting a humble and empathetic approach is paramount. We should make a genuine effort to understand and empathize with the concerns and feelings of community members who may be hesitant to embrace the vaccination campaign. This approach can create a more conducive environment for productive conversations and, ultimately, increased participation in the campaign.