Amref Health Africa selected as implementation partner to provide technical assistance for new peer-to-peer learning network
Nairobi, Kenya, August 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The Rockefeller Foundation has announced the launch of the Vaccination Action Network (VAN). US$7.4 million Locally-led, peer-to-peer learning designed to engage public health decision makers across sub-Saharan Africa and boost efforts to strengthen health systems while expanding demand strategies for Covid-19 vaccines initiative. Sabin Vaccine Institute and Dalberg serve as the network’s secretariat, and Amref Health Africa (Amref) directs and manages subgrants to enable regional organizations in participating countries to implement vaccine demand generation strategies discussed in learning sessions. play an important role in
The network already connects Ministry of Health officials, implementation partners and other key stakeholders around the world. Kenya, Malawi, TanzaniaWhen Uganda Through activities designed to take place nationally and internationally (nationally and internationally), participants will be able to share lessons learned and best practices to increase local demand for Covid-19 vaccines. Expansion plans to other countries in the region are also underway.
“Vaccination Action Network’s community-based approach brings together responders from across regions and countries. This collaboration is key to finding and implementing appropriate vaccination approaches.” Dr Diana Atwine, Undersecretary of Health, said: Uganda. In a recent VAN learning session focused on the Wakiso district, Dr. Mathias Lugoloobi, District Health Officer of Uganda Central Wakiso District He echoed this sentiment by saying, “For a strategy to succeed, only the community must have the final say.”
Over 60% of people worldwide are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, Africa Received the full dose. Inconsistent and unfair access to supplies initially hampered vaccination campaigns across the continent. However, coverage is currently being impacted primarily by complex delivery scenarios, limited access to vaccination centers, and other ongoing demand barriers such as vaccine hesitation and reduced concerns about Covid-19 transmission. I am receiving
The VAN aims to help decision-makers understand the factors behind vaccination and support initiatives to increase uptake of Covid-19 vaccines, while at the same time enhancing routine immunizations to ensure that: It’s about enabling the health system to respond better when a pandemic strikes. This reflects the Rockefeller Foundation’s regional commitment to supporting localized solutions, empowering community representatives and building more resilient healthcare systems.
“The Vaccination Action Network is helping establish new communication channels that consistently improve local learning, solutions and leadership,” he said. William Asiko, Vice President, Regional Office for Africa, Rockefeller Foundation“By making these discussions country-driven, we are empowering those directly involved in immunization campaigns to understand what works and what does not, and what needs to change to improve immunization coverage.” I would like to create a place where I can express myself.”
Peer-to-peer learning is an important tool for officials working to meet these challenges. Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, this kind of domestic and international coordination has helped the continent scale up genome sequencing and ensure essential tools such as personal protective equipment and diagnostic tests. .
“By encouraging officials to come together, the Vaccination Action Network is initiating a new dialogue highlighting local solutions to local challenges,” he said. Gichinji GittahiGroup CEO of Amref“This is essential to address vaccine equity issues relevant to national and regional contexts, but also provides countries with an opportunity for long-term alignment on other priorities.”
VAN will host monthly in-country sessions and multiple cross-country discussions by the end of the calendar year, with the goal of turning the learnings from these sessions into practical solutions. To facilitate this, VAN supports his Amref. US$5 million Grants to design and implement coordinated strategies that better reflect local needs and address demand barriers to increased vaccination uptake.
Before its launch, VAN hosted two transnational discussions and five national discussions, which have already paid off. Following his VAN session in May, which focused on improving vaccine understanding and uptake, the Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDI) at Makerere University said: Kampala, Uganda Currently, we are working on the development of “immunization champions” in the Wakiso district. The goal is for Champions to connect with communities about the benefits of vaccines, address their questions and concerns, and ultimately promote vaccination through community-based strategies that have proven successful in past epidemic control settings. to encourage. Uganda.
“One of the biggest lessons learned from the VAN conversation is the need to provide communities with accurate and accessible information about Covid-19 vaccines, building on lessons learned from other health issues such as HIV and Ebola. , and more needs to be done.” Mohammed Lamorde, Head of Global Health Security, IDI“That is why our program is focused on working with trusted community members and leaders to provide them with the tools they need to accelerate vaccine uptake within their communities.”
VAN is the first major investment of the Global Immunization Initiative (GVI) to overcome low vaccine demand in the United States. AfricaReleased at . April 2022GVI is the Rockefeller Foundation’s US$55 million Efforts to support country-led efforts to fully vaccinate 90% of the most at-risk population Africa, Asia, latin americaand the caribbean for the next two years.
About the Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropic organization built on collaborative partnerships at the forefront of science, technology and innovation, enabling individuals, families and communities to thrive. We work to promote human well-being and make opportunity universal. We are focused on extending renewable energy to all, stimulating economic mobility and ensuring equitable access to healthy and nutritious food. For more information, sign up for the newsletter at rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on Twitter. @RockefellerFdn.
Headquartered in Amref Health Africa Kenyais the largest Africabased international non-governmental organization (INGO). With a focus on increasing access to sustainable health, Amref has programs in over 35 countries. Africa, with lessons learned from more than 60 years of engagement with governments, communities and partners. Amref Health Africa is also involved in program development, funding, partnerships, advocacy, monitoring and evaluation. Europe When North America and Subsidiaries: Amref Flying Doctors, Amref Enterprise and the Amref international university.
About Dalberg
Dalberg is a leading social impact advisory group that integrates strategic consulting, design thinking, big data analytics and research to address complex social and environmental challenges. We work with communities, institutions, governments and businesses to develop solutions that create impact at scale. The Dalberg Group consists of his six businesses: Dalberg Advisors, Dalberg Data Insights, Dalberg Design, Dalberg Implement, Dalberg Media, Dalberg Research, and his nonprofit Dalberg Catalyst. For more information, please visit www.dalberg.com.
About Sabin Vaccine Institute
The Sabin Vaccine Institute advocates for expanding vaccine access and uptake globally, advancing vaccine research and development, and expanding vaccine knowledge and innovation. Unleashing the potential of vaccines through partnerships, Sabin is building a robust ecosystem of funders, innovators, implementers, practitioners, policy makers and public stakeholders to deliver a vision of a preventable, disease-free future. We are promoting. As a non-profit organization with over 20 years of experience, Sabin finds lasting solutions and extends the full benefits of vaccines to everyone, regardless of who they are or where they live. I am working on doing it. At Sabin, we believe in the power of vaccines to change the world. For more information, visit www.sabin.org and follow us on Twitter. @Sabin Vaccine.
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