USAID MOMENTUM: Improving How Communities Experience Immunization Services Is Key to Strengthening Demand and Uptake
The persistent challenge of 20 million children globally missing out on life-saving vaccinations is largely attributed to negative experiences within healthcare systems. Caregivers often face obstacles such as being turned away from vaccination sessions due to insufficient children present to open vaccine vials, or experiencing disrespectful treatment from health workers, leading to a loss of trust and subsequent failure to return for further vaccinations. Efforts are underway to improve the overall service experience, considering factors that influence both patients and health workers.
Initiatives like the MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity project are focused on enhancing provider-patient interactions through empathy-building and person-centered care approaches. Co-creation workshops involving health workers and communities aim to address systemic barriers to vaccination by proposing solutions that prioritize community voice and demand, ultimately aiming to create positive, quality, person-centered experiences in immunization services. Moving forward, standard metrics to monitor service experience, engagement of communities in service design and implementation, and addressing inequitable power structures within health systems are identified as critical steps in improving vaccination coverage and ensuring every child receives essential vaccines. To read more about MOMENTUM and improving community experiences with immunization services, click the link below!