Community-Based Approaches to Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Demand: Lessons Learned from Four UNICEF-Supported Interventions
Sabin, in collaboration with UNICEF and Praxis Institute for Participatory Practices, has developed insights gained from four UNICEF interventions aimed at assisting governments in fostering acceptance and demand for COVID-19 vaccines in Zambia, Iraq, Ghana, and India. Vaccination plays a crucial role in minimizing severe illness and fatalities caused by COVID-19. However, the adoption of COVID-19 vaccines varies significantly, especially among marginalized communities.
In Zambia, a community rapid assessment provided real-time insights into COVID-19 vaccination, enabling the identification of population segments with shared beliefs and motivations. These findings were used to create tailored recommendations for different personas. In Iraq, a novel outreach approach called 3iS (Intensification of Integrated Immunization) engaged directly with communities to deliver health messages and promote service utilization, resulting in the delivery of over 4.4 million doses of COVID-19 and routine immunization vaccines in just 8 months.
In Ghana, a human-centered design initiative was employed to collaboratively develop community-informed strategies for enhancing COVID-19 vaccination rates. Meanwhile, in India, a risk communication and community engagement initiative reached half a million people within six months, leading to a 25% increase in vaccination rates. Read this published work to learn more about shared approaches which offer valuable insights that can be utilized to enhance COVID-19 vaccination coverage and address gaps in routine immunization across various marginalized communities.