Key Learnings from the Development and Early Use of Global Guidance on the Integration of COVID-19 Vaccination into Broader Health Systems

More than 13.5 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses were delivered between 2021 and 2023 through a mix of delivery platforms, with mass vaccination campaigns being the main approach. In 2022, with the continued circulation of SARS-CoV2 and the need for periodic boosters being most likely, countries were required to plan for more sustainable approaches to provide COVID-19 vaccinations. In this context of uncertainty, a global tool for integrating COVID-19 vaccines into immunization programs and as part of broader health systems was published jointly by the WHO and UNICEF to respond to country needs. This paper summarizes the approach to, and lessons learned during, the development of a global guidance document and describes some examples of its early use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The guidance leveraged existing health system frameworks, proposed four steps for planning and implementing the COVID-19 vaccination integration journey, and identified investment areas. The development process maximized robust global stakeholder and country engagement, and the timeframe was aligned with donor funding windows to support countries with the integration of COVID-19 vaccination. The rapid dissemination of the guidance document allowed countries to ascertain their readiness for integrating COVID-19 vaccination and inform the development of national plans and funding applications. While progress has been made in specific areas (e.g., optimizing cold chain and logistics leveraging COVID-19 vaccination), in the context of decreasing demand for COVID-19 vaccines, reaching adult COVID-19 vaccine high-priority-use groups and engaging and coordinating with other health programs (beyond immunization) remain challenges, particularly in LMICs. We share the learning that despite the uncertainties of a pandemic, guidance documents can be developed and used within a short timeframe. Working in partnership with stakeholders within and beyond immunization towards a common objective is powerful and can allow progress to be made in terms of integrating health services and better preparing for future pandemics.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2024

Erschienen:

2024

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:12

Enthalten in:

Vaccines - 12(2024), 2 vom: 14. Feb.

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Dadari, Ibrahim [VerfasserIn]
Vilajeliu, Alba [VerfasserIn]
Berdaga, Viorica [VerfasserIn]
Rozario, Shalini [VerfasserIn]
Meyer, Phoebe [VerfasserIn]
Nic Lochlainn, Laura [VerfasserIn]
Horemans, Dirk [VerfasserIn]
Toro, Nuria [VerfasserIn]
Lihemo, Gloria [VerfasserIn]
Bhardwaj, Sanjay [VerfasserIn]
Cowley, Peter [VerfasserIn]
Chang Blanc, Diana [VerfasserIn]
Conteh-Nordman, Florence [VerfasserIn]
Mirza, Imran [VerfasserIn]
Malm, Shahira [VerfasserIn]
Ameda, Ida Marie [VerfasserIn]
Lindstrand, Ann [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

COVID-19 vaccine
Global guidance
Health systems
Immunization programs
Integrated health services
Integration
Journal Article
Primary health care

Anmerkungen:

Date Revised 20.04.2024

published: Electronic

Citation Status PubMed-not-MEDLINE

doi:

10.3390/vaccines12020196

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM368901637