Community Conversations on Vaccines

In this episode of Community Conversations on Vaccines, co-hosts Vince Blaser and Francesca Montalto of the Sabin Vaccine Institute are joined by Dr. Aamer Ikram, chief executive officer of the National Institutes of Health Pakistan, and Rukaya Mumuni, a public health officer and registered nurse in Ghana. They discuss the decline in immunization during the pandemic, vaccination coverage during natural disasters and national emergencies, and efforts to improve routine immunization and vaccinate zero-dose children. They also highlight successful strategies for reaching underserved communities, such as Ghana's innovative drone delivery system.

In this episode of Community Conversations on Vaccines, co-hosts Vince Blaser and Francesca Montalto of the Sabin Vaccine Institute are joined by Rehana Riyawala, vice president at Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA), and Doreen Tuhebwe, research fellow at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH). They discuss HPV vaccination efforts, the prevalence of cervical cancer, and innovative approaches to addressing public health challenges in the HPV space.

In this episode of Community Conversations on Vaccines, co-hosts Vince Blaser and Francesca Montalto are joined by Daniela Da'Costa Franco, a researcher and independent consultant for the Ministry of Health of Guatemala, and Deepa Risal Pokharel, senior advisor for social and behavior change and team lead for immunization demand at UNICEF. They explore the evolution of communications and outreach campaigns for immunization and the importance of inclusive approaches in addressing the largest sustained global decline in routine immunization coverage in 30 years, the vital role of behavioral science and community engagement in overcoming challenges like misinformation and vaccine acceptance, as well as the need to promote multidisciplinary research and human-centered design to ensure culturally relevant solutions for Indigenous communities. Daniela and Deepa also preview the 2023 Vaccination Acceptance Research Network Conference (VARN 2023), happening June 13-15 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Welcome to Season 5 of Community Conversations on Vaccines, presented by the Sabin Vaccine Institute. In this exciting new season, our focus is on the upcoming Sabin Vaccination Acceptance Research Network (VARN), a conference co-convened by UNICEF, taking place from June 13-15th in Bangkok, Thailand. The conference aims to provide a platform for experts to explore and disseminate knowledge, best practices, and evidence-based strategies to drive action across the vaccination ecosystem, including acceptance, demand, and delivery. As we reflect on the over three years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital to address the largest sustained decline in routine immunization rates witnessed in the past 30 years. Join us in these crucial discussions, where we will collaborate on innovative solutions to enhance vaccine acceptance and uptake, shaping a healthier future for communities worldwide.

Co-hosts Vince Blaser and Francesca Montalto are joined by Daren (Paul) Katigbak, a Women Deliver young leader, nurse, and public health professional in the Philippines, and Rita Akiki, a registered nurse and nursing director at Aboujaoude Hospital in Lebanon. They discuss their views on the status of vaccination efforts in their home countries of Lebanon and the Philippines. its implications, and approaches toward improvement, including addressing the welfare of nurses and other health workers who play important roles in educating the public on vaccines. Paul and Rita consider the investment needed in the health workforce, health systems, and universal health coverage (UHC) to improve and sustain immunization rates as the United Nations prepares to host a high-level meeting on progress toward UHC in 2023. Paul also details his HIV/AIDS advocacy and the significance of immunization in high-risk communities. 

Co-hosts Vince Blaser and Francesca Montalto are joined by Kiran Maharaj, veteran journalist and co-founder and president of the Media Institute of the Caribbean and Caribbean Investigative Journalism Network and Dr. Chizoba Wonodi, researcher and principal investigator, founder of Women Advocates for Vaccine Access (WAVA), and Nigeria Country Director at Johns Hopkins International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC). . They discuss the infodemic and approaches to mitigating the spread of misinformation and disinformation across science  and health issues, including vaccines and climate change.  Kiran and Chizoba consider how to build and sustain  vaccine acceptance in the communities and delve into the role of credible messengers and the media in managing the infodemic surrounding vaccines and Immunization.

Co-hosts Vince Blaser and Francesca Montalto are joined in New York City on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by Dr. Anant Bhan, mentor and principal investigator for Sangath in Bhopal, India, and Dr. Kate Hopkins, Director of Research, Vaccine Acceptance & Demand at Sabin Vaccine Institute. Anant and Kate reflect upon their take-aways from discussions with global health leaders during UNGA, community-based participatory initiatives as a long-term strategy for boosting vaccine confidence, and the role of influencers in fostering trust. They explore other factors influencing vaccine acceptance, such as historical mistrust around facility-based vaccination by marginalized communities, including people living with disabilities and transgender individuals).

Co-hosts Vince Blaser and Francesca Montalto are joined in New York City on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by Ugandan journalist and media trainer Esther Nakkazi and Malawian nurse and advocate Rashid Mang'anda. They reflect upon their take-aways from discussions with global health leaders during the UNGA, approaches to creating sustainable structures that support journalists and health workers  and build and sustain vaccine confidence in the communities they serve. They further delve into the role of government and the media in ensuring vaccine equity and acceptance in African communities.

What drives decision-making on vaccines in low- and middle-income countries? How have professionals closest to communities fostered trust?  What challenges do they have to overcome to maintain that confidence and build vaccine equity? How has the covid-19 pandemic changed vaccine acceptance and demand?   Welcome to Community Conversations on Vaccines. In this podcast, we speak to the professionals closest to vaccine delivery and decision-making, across low- and middle income countries. We will be joined by guests like Rashid Mang'anda, a nurse at the Phalombe District in Southern Malawi, reporter and media trainer Esther Nakkazi, Founder of the Health Journalists Network in Uganda and Dr. Anant Bhan, mentor and principal investigator at Sangath in Bhopal, India. Season Four of Community Conversations on Vaccines is coming soon. Find Community Conversations on Vaccines at immunizationadvocates.org/podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts. Subscribe to be the first to hear future episodes.

Rubina Qasim, an assistant professor at the Institute of Nursing & Midwifery, Dow University Health Sciences in Pakistan, and Dr. Ariel Frisancho, country director of the Catholic Medical Mission Board in Peru, consider the future and how policymakers can build trust and equitable access to vaccines to promote healthy communities. Rubina shares her research and successful approaches to addressing vaccine myths and misinformation among the Pashtun community in Pakistan. Ariel observes community experiences with COVID-19 and routine immunization in Peru and the implications for global health policy. Rubina and Ariel discuss community-centered policy changes needed, including more inclusive health systems to boost vaccine acceptance and demand. With special guests: Rubina Qasim, Assistant Professor, Institute of Nursing & Midwifery, Dow University of Health Sciences and Dr. Ariel Frisancho, Country Director, Catholic Medical Mission Board Peru