Framework for Risk Communication and Community Engagement to Improve Vaccine Uptake for COVID-19 and other Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC)

– AEFIs (at least one)

– Persistent misinformation and disinformation

– Risk perception lower than the actual risk

– Risk of vaccine expiration

– Limited funding to implement support activities

– Vaccine usage below set targets

– Vaccine shopping

– Be the first to explain any AEFIs

– Provide accurate information

– Increase acceptance and demand for vaccination

– Explore all available funding sources

– Troubleshoot to identify challenges and intervene

– Advocate against vaccine shopping

– Address fears

– Reduced vaccine hesitancy

– improved knowledge on vaccines

– Improved vaccine uptake

– Mobilise funding to support demand creation/RCCE

– Be ahead of time

– Avoid vaccine shopping

– Consistent national social listening teams and surveys

– Engage vaccine champions, trusted community channels and leaders

– Communicate widely and clarify the process

– Build trust by providing accurate daily updates on vaccine rollout

– Make better use of local TV and radio stations, and other official social media platforms

– Develop and circulate COVID-19 IEC materials in all languages (based on identified information needs); and offer training to outlets/partners on usage

– Collect feedback from hotlines, AEFI monitoring tool, traditional and social media on regular basis

– Empower local leadership and trusted community channels and leaders with accurate information

– Regularly collect feedback and update messages

– Up-to-date information on hesitancy

– Easy-to-understand information

– Continued risk perception (appropriate to the actual risk and increased demand for vaccination)

– Community participation and ownership

– Regular feedback meetings/webinars/refresher trainings

– Alignment and harmonization of plans, strategies and approaches

– Engagement with government ministries, Department or Ministry of Health, and so on

– Platforms for information exchange groups like WhatsApp, Signal, and so on

– Platforms for real-time early signs data access

– Stakeholder mapping

– Set up committees

– Maintain stakeholder presence and participation

– Agree on stakeholder roles

– Share feedback and discuss progress (results)

– Agree on frequency of meetings

– Refresher trainings

– Ensure real-time data access and encourage partners to consistently update information

– Revise approaches and strategies

– Harmonised approach

– Coordinated response

– Consistency (avoid parallel programs and conflicting messages/interventions) [4]

– Fast and efficient information exchange

– Reliable data/information and timely response

– Innovative and effective approaches

– Mobilised funds