The Drum Beat 157 - Communication for Polio Eradication

STRATEGIC THINKING

1. Programme Communication for Immunization Plus - a summary presentation from the UNICEF Immunization Plus Retreat, May 2002. Includes current status, goals, activities, challenges, and proposed solutions. Contact Waithira Gikonyo wgikonyo@unicef.org

2. Guidelines for Interpersonal Communication Training for Vaccinators and Supervisors

A training module developed by partners in Nigeria to enable vaccinators to give the correct response to common questions, to help them in adopting a respectful and patient approach and to encourage vaccinators to seek assistance when needed. Role-plays and additional resources are provided. Contact Steve Stewart znc4@cdc.gov, Jonathan Veitch veitchj@who.int, Thilly De Bodt tdebodt@unicef.org

3. Vaccinator Information Sheet and Q&A

In India and Nigeria, the polio partners have developed this information sheet that provides Q&A on the most commonly asked questions by parents. Contact Steve Stewart znc4@cdc.gov, Jonathan Veitch veitchj@who.int, Thilly De Bodt tdebodt@unicef.org

4. Social Mobilisation Supervisory Checklist [PDF]

During the Nigerian Sub National Immunisation Days, social mobilisation monitors use these checklists, developed by the polio partners in Nigeria, to monitor and evaluate efforts in communication for polio eradication at State and LGA levels. Click here for further information [PDF] Contact The Polio Partnership in Nigeria, Noble Thalari nthalari@unicef.org The SNIDS monitoring checklists-results will soon be released by the Nigeria Social Mobilisation committee.

5. Monitoring House-to-House Immunisation [PDF]

Polio partners in India and Nigeria updated an existing monitoring tool for House-to-House polio vaccination and integrated key questions on social mobilisation. Contact Jonathan Veitch veitchj@who.int, Thilly De Bodt tdebodt@unicef.org

6. Vaccinator Card

The polio partners in India and Nigeria produced this small card with key steps/questions they need to remember/ask when entering a house and key actions they need to take when leaving the house. Jonathan Veitch veitchj@who.int, Thilly De Bodt tdebodt@unicef.org

7. Standardised Terms of Reference for Communication Consultants and Consultant Report Outline

Provides the generic terms of reference for polio communication consultants and a report outline that is recommended for consultants. This TOR was developed by the polio partners in 2000. Contact Thilly De Bodt tdebodt@unicef.org

LESSONS LEARNED

8. Communication for Routine Immunisation and Polio Eradication: A synopsis of 5 sub-Saharan case studies
5 case studies were carried out in 1999 in Mozambique, Mali, DRC, Zambia and Nigeria to analyse and document experiences in social mobilisation and communication for polio and routine immunisation. Also available in French. Contact Thilly De Bodt tdebodt@unicef.org

9. Lessons Learned in Communication for Polio Eradication - a summary of the lessons learned during the Mid-Year 2001 Meeting of the Advisory Group of Polio Partners.
Provides practical tips for accessing the hard-to-reach, developing communication strategies in conflict countries, organising cross-border/synchronised NIDs, micro planning, dealing with polio outbreaks, community based surveillance and monitoring communication interventions. Contact Thilly De Bodt tdebodt@unicef.org

10. Combatting Antivaccination Rumours: Lessons Learned from Case Studies in East Africa

• Tailor immediate and ongoing strategies and respond promptly to questions and rumours.
• Build ongoing relations with all communities (religious, social, media).
• Disseminate consistent messages.
• Lack of information creates questions - leading to apprehension/fears - which in turn lead to rumours.
• Take time to deal with rumours. Benefits will accrue to routine EPI.

11. Areas of Concern: Communication for Immunisation - "There is nothing routine about immunisation..."
Need for an integrated plan that includes PE, EPI, introduction of new vaccines & injection safety. Need to address disconnect between "political" advocacy and micro-planning - what happens in between? Communication to address rejection, resistance and rumours. Track impact of social mobilisation (monitoring of communication plan). Need to frame all vertical immunisation interventions as part of one campaign. Contact Rina Gill rgill@unicef.org

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The next issue of DB Classifieds - Training, Consultants, Materials, Events will be August 7. To include your events, workshops, publications or services, contact jsavidge@comminit.com

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RECENT INITIATIVES

12. Polio Quiz

UNICEF designed an educational quiz on polio with 25 questions for young people between 9-16 yrs old. The quiz has been field-tested (and modified) with approximately 50 young people from Angola, Egypt, England, Ireland, Nigeria, Pakistan. In English, French, Portuguese or Spanish. Contact Thilly De Bodt tdebodt@unicef.org

13. Immunisation in Nepal - Communication Campaign 2002-2003

Launched in June 2002 - addresses parents, health providers and Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) through radio, TV and print advertising, regional outreach through spots in 6 local languages and interpersonal communication - reaching parents through health providers. The theme is: "Full immunisation insures your child’s health". Graphic icon with 3 messages were developed. Click here for further information about the immunisation situation in Nepal. Contact Wing-Sie Cheng thailandao@unicef.org

14. Olympic Aid's Sport Health Programme - Ghana - In Dec 2001, a delegation of athletes traveled to Ghana to kick off this campaign to immunise infants against 5 deadly diseases with 1 new vaccine. The campaign was launched at the Sport & Immunisation Festival, whose purpose was to highlight the fact that children's right to play cannot be exercised without good health. Olympic Aid coach/volunteers from the US and Canada are living in Accra and working to disseminate health education messages about childhood immunisation, HIV/AIDS prevention, and physical fitness through sport and play. Contact Orna Dobner orna@olmpicaid.org

REPORTS

15. Mid-Year Consultative Meeting of Polio Partners (New York July 2000) [PDF]
Country, regional and global experiences were discussed in order to assess progress made from 1999-2000 on communication in endemic countries. Contact Thilly De Bodt tdebodt@unicef.org

16. Meeting of the Polio/EPI Communication/Social Mobilisation Advisory Group (Harare Nov - Dec 2000)

Participants discussed issues of coordination among partners, especially at the country and regional level, identified better coordination processes, and reviewed communication support needs in selected countries. Contact Grace Kagondu kagondug@whoafr.org

17. Mid-Year Meeting of the Advisory Group of Polio Partners (New York June 2001) [PDF]

Focused on the remaining challenges of the Polio Eradication Initiative: reaching the hard-to-reach, communication strategies in conflict countries, communication in micro-planning, cross-border and synchronised NIDs, strengthening communication skills of service providers, communication for community based surveillance, and communicating on immunisation after certification. Contact Thilly De Bodt tdebodt@unicef.org

18. Meeting of the Polio/EPI Communication/Social Mobilisation Advisory Group (Harare Nov 2001)

Focus was on the remaining communication bottlenecks, mainly in sub-Saharan countries, and the implementation of lessons learned to stop polio transmission by the end of 2002. Participants reviewed the progress of communication strategies in the context of the Global Alliance for Vaccines & Immunisation (GAVI). Contact Grace Kagondu kagondug@whoafr.org

RESOURCES

19. Communication Handbook for Polio Eradication & Routine EPI
Developed in 2000, guides readers through the planning, implementation and monitoring of an integrated communication strategy for routine and supplemental immunisation and surveillance. French & Portuguese versions are in draft form. Contact Thilly De Bodt tdebodt@unicef.org

20. The Facilitator's Guide

This draft document is a step-by step guide for organising communication planning workshops for polio eradication and routine EPI. It is a guide for the Handbook above. Contact Thilly De Bodt tdebodt@unicef.org

21. Communication for Polio Eradication & Routine Immunization Checklists & Easy Reference Guides

A complement to the Field guide for supplementary activities aimed at achieving polio eradication. The checklists and guides cover communication and mobilisation aspects of routine and supplementary immunisation and disease surveillance. Contact Mike Favin mfavin@aed.org, Christine Mc Nab Mcnabc@who.int

22. UNICEF Press Center Fact Sheet

Questions & Answers on Polio - addresses what, how, why, when, and strategies for prevention, education and eradication.

23. End of Polio

An informational site about what polio is, the effects it has had globally and what is being done to eradicate it.

24. Polio News

A quarterly newsletter that documents the latest news from the global Polio Eradication Initiative. In English & French.

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Many thanks to Thilly De Bodt for her assistance with this issue.

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