This edition of the newsletter is available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian.
As 2023 winds down, we would like to wish everyone in the Linked community a very happy holiday season!
Over the past couple months, the Linked community has come together for rich learning exchanges focused on implementing electronic immunisation registers. We can’t wait to share the learnings from these exchanges soon after the new year with a series of resources that will summarize and illustrate country experiences.
We are thrilled to share the proof of concept that presents evidence from two Linked member country case studies, a network-wide survey, and evaluations from each of the network’s engagements which demonstrate that Linked is an enabler, a catalyst, and an accelerator for countries’ progress towards the MICs outcomes and objectives. Explore more on Linked’s contributions and impact towards strengthening immunisation systems in MICs
Linked is also seeking nominations for the Steering Committee, which plays a pivotal role in shaping and guiding Linked’s learning agenda and strategic direction, as well as ensuring network activities are aligned with country priorities. If you are interested in being considered for participation in the committee, please email your name, job title, organization, and why you would like to join the committee to Network Facilitators at community@linkedimmunisation.org by January 31, 2024.
The global immunisation community has launched relevant and timely evidence, tools, and country spotlights to help tackle immunisation programme challenges. This synthesis provides background, findings, and recommendations related to Immunisation Service Experience (SE), particularly for zero-dose and under-immunised children in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). This document explains the key concepts of the Life Course approach with a focus on immunisation and delivers several considerations for the implementation of the LCA in national immunisation programs. This case study documents key insights into the challenges experienced with PCV introduction and how those were systematically addressed to accelerate introduction in Indonesia. Finally, a new study by PATH generated evidence on delivering a two-dose HPV vaccination schedule in six countries.
As always, these resources, as well as other relevant and timely news, events, tools, and network updates, can be explored on the Linked website, as well as our Linked Immunisation Action Network page on LinkedIn. Please be sure to follow and share with your networks and colleagues!
Warm regards,
Hashta Meyta, Head, Secretariat for Coordination and Integration Immunisation Programme, Ministry of Health, Indonesia
NETWORK UPDATES
Linked Proof of Concept Demonstrates Network’s Impact Towards Gavi’s Middle-Income Country Objectives
In 2023, Linked embarked upon the systematic measurement of whether and how the network’s collaborative learning approach is contributing to Gavi’s middle-income country (MICs) outcomes and objectives. This proof of concept presents evidence from two Linked member country case studies, a network-wide survey, and evaluations from each of the network’s engagements. These findings demonstrate that Linked is an enabler, a catalyst, and an accelerator for countries’ progress towards the MICs outcomes and objectives. Explore more on Linked’s contributions and impact towards strengthening immunisation systems in MICs.
Linked Now Accepting Nominations for Country Representatives to Join the Steering Committee
Are you interested in playing a key role in shaping and guiding Linked’s future strategic direction and ensuring activities are aligned with country priorities? The Steering Committee is largely comprised of representatives from member countries, with additional representation from key global partners and champions, including Gavi, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO, and UNICEF. Linked is now welcoming nominations for 3 country representatives. If you are interested in being considered for participation in the committee, please email your name, job title, organization, and why you would like to join the committee to Network Facilitators at community@linkedimmunisation.org by January 31, 2024.
FEATURED NEWS & RESOURCES
Achieving our Best: Strengthening Performance Accountability in Immunisation Programs
A new evidence brief developed by the MOMENTUM Routine Immunisation Transformation and Equity project discusses the importance of strengthening performance accountability in immunisation programs to enhance their effectiveness and reach zero-dose and under-immunised children, especially in the context of post-COVID-19 recovery.
Synthesis of Immunisation Service Experience Interventions and Monitoring and Measurement Approaches for Zero-dose and Under-immunised Children
This resource provides an overview of the background, findings, and recommendations related to Immunisation Service Experience (SE), particularly for zero-dose and under-immunised children in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). The findings highlight various interventions that improve service experience, such as communication campaigns, community engagement, digital information systems, and pro-equity strategies.
Listening and Learning at Teach to Reach 7: Listening and Learning Report 4
A report, produced by WHO and UNICEF, aims to analyze the experiences and stories shared during or after Teach to Reach 7, where the theme centered local practitioner responses to the continued backsliding in vaccination coverage, beginning an exploration of what sustainable recovery means at the local level. The report summarizes what participants reported learning from each other through peer learning and what international practitioners can learn from these experiences.
Building Better Immunity: A Life Course Approach to Healthy Longevity
By adopting a life course approach (LCA) to immunisation, vaccination programs can be tailored to close immunity gaps at different stages of life. This technical document explains the key concepts of the LCA with a focus on immunisation by vaccination and delivers several considerations for the implementation of the LCA in national immunisation programs.
Accelerating Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Introductions in Indonesia: Key Learnings from 2017 to 2022
In 2022, Indonesia accelerated Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) roll out with nationwide reach. On the path to PCV introduction, several challenges were observed that impacted decision making on whether and on how to optimally roll out PCV. This case study documents key insights into the challenges experienced and how those were systematically addressed to accelerate new vaccine introduction in Indonesia, which can be beneficial for other countries yet to introduce critical new vaccines.
Assessing the Service Delivery Costs, Switching Costs, and Cost-effectiveness of Rotavirus Vaccine Products in Ghana
Ghana introduced Rotavirus vaccine (ROTARIX 10-dose presentation) into the routine national immunisation program in 2012 and switched to the ROTAVAC 5-dose presentation in 2020. A study published recently in PLOS Global Public Health estimated the supply chain and service delivery costs associated with each product (evaluating both the 5-dose and 10-dose presentations), the costs involved in switching products, and compares the cost-effectiveness of both products over the next ten years.
National Immunisation Strategy Development Process: A Case Study from Nepal
In 2022, the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Nepal, initiated the development of a National Immunisation Strategy (NIS) to define the strategic direction for the immunisation program. This case study explores challenges and lessons learnt during the process and serves as a useful resource for other countries engaged in the NIS development process, sharing knowledge and experience in developing a NIS.
New Findings from PATH Study on the Cost and Operational Context of HPV Vaccine Delivery in Six Countries
PATH recently worked with immunisation program managers on a study to assess operational context and estimate ongoing costs of HPV vaccine delivery beyond the introduction years from the perspective of the health system. The study generated evidence on delivering a two-dose HPV vaccination schedule in six countries: Ethiopia, Guyana, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, and Uganda. The results point to key opportunities that policymakers may wish to consider for greater cost efficiencies, particularly as programs seek to rebuild and accelerate coverage after the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Explore the findings in a publication, summary brief, and individual country case studies.
COUNTRY SPOTLIGHTS
Relentless for an Assured Future for Girls: A Group of Mothers in Nigeria go all out to Protect their Girls from Cervical Cancer
Formed by UNICEF and Global Affairs Canada, a group of mothers work to educate and dispel traditional negative health practices, including vaccine hesitancy. following the launch of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to protect girls aged between 9 and 14 from cervical cancer in October 2023. Learn more about their story.
Togo Introduces HPV Vaccine to Protect Adolescent Girls from the Leading Cause of Cervical Cancer
In December 2023, the Government of Togo, with the support of its partners, including Gavi, WHO, UNICEF, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), introduced the HPV vaccine into its routine immunisation system to prevent cervical cancer. Learn more about the campaign and the enabling factors for its success.
EXTERNAL EVENTS
Recordings and Materials from 17th TechNet Conference Available Online
This year’s TechNet Conference took place in October in Panama City and focused on the theme “Immunisation Programs That Leave No One Behind.” In case you missed the event where immunisation professionals met to discuss the latest developments in immunisation practice and policy, you can now view the recordings and slides of all plenary and some breakout sessions in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.