Eve Dubé1, Julie Leask2, Brent Wolff3, Benjamin Hickler4, Victor Balaban5, Everold Hosein6, Katrine Habersaat7. 1. Institut national de santé publique du Québec & Université Laval, 2400 D'Estimauville, Québec, QC G1E 4C4, Canada. 2. School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Global Immunization Division, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. 4. United Nations Children's Fund Programme Division, UNICEF House, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA. 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Global Health, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. 6. New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA. 7. World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, Marmorvej 51, DK-2100 Copenhagen, OE, Denmark. Electronic address: habersaatk@who.int.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The WHO Regional Office for Europe developed the Guide to tailoring immunization programmes (TIP), offering countries a process through which to diagnose barriers and motivators to vaccination in susceptible low vaccination coverage and design tailored interventions. A review of TIP implementation was conducted in the European Region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The review was conducted during June to December 2016 by an external review committee and was based on visits in Bulgaria, Lithuania, Sweden and the United Kingdom that had conducted a TIP project; review of national and regional TIP documents and an online survey of the Member States in the WHO European Region that had not conducted a TIP project. A review committee workshop was held to formulate conclusions and recommendations. RESULTS: The review found the most commonly cited strengths of the TIP approach to be the social science research as well as the interdisciplinary approach and community engagement, enhancing the ability of programmes to "listen" and learn, to gain an understanding of community and individual perspectives. National immunization managers in the Region are generally aware that TIP exists and that there is strong demand for the type of research it addresses. Further work is needed to assist countries move towards implementable strategies based on the TIP findings, supported by an emphasis on enhanced local ownership; integrated diagnostic and intervention design; and follow-up meetings, advocacy and incentives for decision-makers to implement and invest in strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the perspectives of susceptible and low-coverage populations is crucial to improving immunization programmes. TIP provides a framework that facilitated this in four countries. In the future, the purpose of TIP should go beyond identification of susceptible groups and diagnosis of challenges and ensure a stronger focus on the design of strategies and appropriate and effective interventions to ensure long-term change.
INTRODUCTION: The WHO Regional Office for Europe developed the Guide to tailoring immunization programmes (TIP), offering countries a process through which to diagnose barriers and motivators to vaccination in susceptible low vaccination coverage and design tailored interventions. A review of TIP implementation was conducted in the European Region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The review was conducted during June to December 2016 by an external review committee and was based on visits in Bulgaria, Lithuania, Sweden and the United Kingdom that had conducted a TIP project; review of national and regional TIP documents and an online survey of the Member States in the WHO European Region that had not conducted a TIP project. A review committee workshop was held to formulate conclusions and recommendations. RESULTS: The review found the most commonly cited strengths of the TIP approach to be the social science research as well as the interdisciplinary approach and community engagement, enhancing the ability of programmes to "listen" and learn, to gain an understanding of community and individual perspectives. National immunization managers in the Region are generally aware that TIP exists and that there is strong demand for the type of research it addresses. Further work is needed to assist countries move towards implementable strategies based on the TIP findings, supported by an emphasis on enhanced local ownership; integrated diagnostic and intervention design; and follow-up meetings, advocacy and incentives for decision-makers to implement and invest in strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the perspectives of susceptible and low-coverage populations is crucial to improving immunization programmes. TIP provides a framework that facilitated this in four countries. In the future, the purpose of TIP should go beyond identification of susceptible groups and diagnosis of challenges and ensure a stronger focus on the design of strategies and appropriate and effective interventions to ensure long-term change.
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Authors: Mohamed F Jalloh; Benjamin Hickler; Lauren E Parmley; Roberta Sutton; Shibani Kulkarni; Anthony Mansaray; Oliver Eleeza; Palak Patel; Elisabeth Wilhelm; Laura Conklin; Adewale Akinjeji; Mame Toure; Brent Wolff; Dimitri Prybylski; Aaron S Wallace; Maria Lahuerta Journal: BMJ Glob Health Date: 2021-05