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Vaccines and immunization
WHO/Europe workshop on preparedness for rotavirus vaccine introduction
The WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe), in collaboration with UNICEF’s Central, Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States Regional Office (CEECIS), held a regional workshop on preparedness for the introduction of rotavirus vaccines in Copenhagen, Denmark on 31 January – 1 February 2012. Participants included the managers of National Immunization Programmes, immunization staff and communication specialists form Armenia, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, as well as representatives from WHO and UNICEF regional and country offices.
The first day of the workshop provided an opportunity to review country readiness for the introduction of rotavirus vaccines and discuss next steps to be taken in implementing introduction plans. The day focused on defining strategies to overcome possible challenges in the introduction of rotavirus vaccines, which were identified from experiences with Hib vaccine introduction, situation analysis and vaccine management and cold chain assessments. The participants considered how to address the issue of short term contraindications to immunization, increase acceptance of rotavirus vaccine among medical workers and strengthen AEFI monitoring systems to monitor the safety of rotavirus vaccines.
The second day of the workshop was dedicated to developing national advocacy and communication strategies and plans. This session was led by UNICEF experts. The participants discussed conducting focus groups to investigate perceptions towards immunization among parents and stakeholders. The results of these studies, complemented by routine communications regarding new vaccine introduction, will be used to develop effective communication strategies with the goal of building trust regarding vaccination and creating demand for immunization among the general population.
The meeting provided an opportunity to define further technical and consultancy support needed from WHO and UNICEF to help prepare for and evaluate the introduction of rotavirus vaccines in participating countries. Armenia, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova plan to introduce the rotavirus vaccine in the coming months, with financial support provided by the GAVI Alliance.