Communication framework for new vaccines and child survival

Welcome to the Technical Network for Strengthening Immunization (Technet21) discussion forum

Index
» TechNet21
» General Discussion
» Communication framework for new...

Page: 1

Post tools
- Subscribe

The Permalink allows you to share this Post with Friends and other Users. To use, click the Permalink and then copy the URL from your Browsers Adress Bar.#1 Permalink

Feb-16-12 10:52

Communication framework for new vaccines and child survival

Cross-posted from the January 2012 Global Immunization News issue. Many thanks.
31/01/2012 from Osman Mansoor, UNICEF

Pneumonia and diarrhoea remain the top two causes of child deaths. The availability of new vaccines against
the top causes of pneumonia (Hib, PCV) and diarrhoea (RV) in children offers the opportunity to rapidly
reduce child deaths towards the achievement of MDG4. However, these vaccines cannot prevent all cases of
pneumonia and diarrhoea and it is important that these new vaccines do not give rise to unrealistic
expectations that could eventually damage the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). In addition, the
introduction of new vaccines offers the opportunity to promote the other interventions that will reduce
deaths – especially breast-feeding, hand washing and care-seeking if a child develops danger signs.

UNICEF has developed a Framework for developing evidence-based communication strategies to mobilize
and engage communities to adopt these healthy actions, including demanding for immunization. It is available
at this link , where a Translate button offers translation into hundreds of languages. However, these machine translations are not perfect. The site also includes the Framework in a Word version in English and French. Now a Russian translation is available in word. Please contact Osman Mansoor for a proper translation into another language to help a country use the Framework to develop a communication plan.

Any tools, materials, and resources that have been used for new vaccine introduction, are also sought so that
country-developed resources can be shared globally.

Moderator: 1494 Posts

Please register or login to reply or post a new topic

The Permalink allows you to share this Post with Friends and other Users. To use, click the Permalink and then copy the URL from your Browsers Adress Bar.#2 Permalink

Feb-19-12 07:18

Re: Communication framework for new vaccines and child survival

I agree with Mansoor, on many occasions vaccination alone cannot protect children well. Using India's experiences, improving water sanitation and its key messages in polio eradication, we all should use the opportunity of new vaccine introduction to communicate with the community about all preventive measures, e.g. safe drinking water, environmental sanitation, breastfeeding and hand washing.

One in every 250 people are busy for polio eradication in the world, involving them as multi-purpose health workers will be very important for success. As in the case of Afghanistan, about 50,000 health workers' force is visiting house to house at least four time a year. Focusing on one topic and message during every round will mobilize the community. Afghanistan EPI partners are working on a communication strategy for polio eradication and I as member of the EPI task force will pursue all the above.

In regards to a communication strategy, we have to adapt global messages in a way that people get the message clearly, i.e. "Breast is Best" is true and a very good message. In a conservative society, we will have to extend the message a bit. For example "Breast is Best" for child feeding, child protection, etc.