New tools to equip and empower local actions to improve vaccine uptake

Achieving high uptake of vaccination requires the active involvement of health workers and community representatives. As trusted members of their communities, it is essential to enable their role in building vaccine confidence and delivering quality immunization services.

To support, WHO has released a set of resources that are adaptable, action-oriented and easy to use in various local contexts:

• Quick tips for community representatives: a practical guide highlighting how trusted community members can contribute to local immunization activities, such as having meaningful conversations, advocating for local support and mobilizing resources;
• Quick tips for health workers: a handy job aide offering ideas on planning for vaccination sessions, responding to questions with empathy and strengthening community trust in vaccines and health workers;
• Health worker training modules on vaccine communication: a suite of slide decks designed for peer-facilitated and interactive learning to empower health workers as vaccine champions.

The following topics are covered:

o Conversations to support vaccine uptake;
o Managing pain during vaccine administration;
o Communicating on vaccine safety and contraindications.

These tools are available in selected languages on the TechNet-21 Demand and Uptake page. Countries, partners and local immunization programmes are encouraged to adapt and integrate them into local strategies to support immunization teams and community engagement efforts. 

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Author: Jun Ryan Orbina, WHO