Early Estimates of the COVID-19 Impact on Maternal and Child Health

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While the COVID-19 pandemic will increase mortality due to the virus, it is also likely to increase mortality indirectly. In this study, the authors estimate the additional maternal and under-5 child deaths resulting from the potential disruption of health systems and decreased access to food.

The results of the study show that if routine health care is disrupted and access to food is decreased (as a result of unavoidable shocks, health system collapse, or intentional choices made in responding to the pandemic), the increase in child and maternal deaths will be devastating. The authors hope these numbers add context as policy makers establish guidelines and allocate resources in the days and months to come.

Source: Early Estimates of the COVID-19 Impact on Maternal and Child Health

    Views 570

    How the COVID-19 Vaccine Works

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    This video, produced by the World Health Organization, was posted on Twitter. The speakers explain exactly how the COVID-19 vaccine works, its safety, and its importance.

    Source: How the COVID-19 Vaccine Works

      Views 592

      COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit

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      This informational guide presents six strategies for immunization coordinators to build vaccine confidence within their health system or clinic.

      It includes tangible actions to promote confidence, communication, and uptake of COVID-19 vaccine, which can help support confidence among providers and patients.

      Source: COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit

        Views 617

        Demand Creation and Advocacy for COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Uptake

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        As the introduction of effective COVID-19 vaccines is on the horizon, it is time to quickly expand SBC programs to address public acceptance of and generate demand for these critical public health tools.

        This quick start guide was developed to support FHI 360 programs and their partners to design and implement demand creation and advocacy activities as part of national COVID-19 vaccine introduction efforts. This guide draws primarily on FHI 360’s experience designing and implementing SBC programs to promote uptake of health products and services, including vaccination services, but also borrows from other global tools, including those developed by the WHO and UNICEF.

        This resource can be used by SBC practitioners as a step-by-step guide to take them from defining and understanding local SBC needs to implementing and adjusting activities to respond to changing conditions. Importantly, this resource is intended as a living document where additional design and implementation tools will be added (or removed), and adaptations made to ensure the guide and its component parts remain current and useful.

        Source: Demand Creation and Advocacy for COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Uptake

          Views 550

          The COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Handbook

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          This handbook is for journalists, doctors, nurses, policy makers, researchers, teachers, students, parents, and others.

          It contains information about:

          • COVID-19 vaccines
          • How to talk to others about them
          • How to challenge misinformation about the vaccines

          Source: The COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Handbook

            Views 945

            5 Ways to Use Sensitivity When Writing About Vaccines

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            This blog explains that health professionals need to approach their patients who are opposed to vaccination with understanding and patience.

            They should anticipate vaccine-related questions and suggest five ways to deal with the patients:

            1. Knowledge Management: An Effective Tool to Stem Vaccine Hesitancy
            2. Contain Vaccination Misinformation
            3. Find a new way to tell the “this is why vaccines are important” story
            4. Use Your Platform to Educate About the Benefit of Vaccines
            5. Identify Pro-Immunization Spokespeople

            Source: 5 Ways to Use Sensitivity When Writing About Vaccines

              Views 806

              COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Strategy, India

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              This communication strategy supports the COVID-19 vaccines rollout in India and seeks to disseminate timely, accurate and transparent information about the vaccine(s) to alleviate apprehensions about the vaccine, ensure its acceptance and encourage uptake.

              The strategy will also serve to guide national, state and district level communication activities, so that the information on the COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination process reaches all people, across all states in the country.

              Source: COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Strategy, India

                Views 880

                COVID-19 Vaccination Communication

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                This report, which was developed in consultation with leading experts in social and behavioral sciences and public health, outlines evidence-informed communication strategies in support of national COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts across federal agencies and their state and local partners.

                Source: COVID-19 Vaccination Communication

                  Views 580

                  Key Guidelines in Developing a Pre-Emptive COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake Promotion Strategy

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                  This paper makes the case for immediate planning for a COVID-19 vaccination uptake strategy in advance of vaccine availability for two reasons: first, the need to build a consensus about the order in which groups of the population will get access to the vaccine; second, to reduce any fear and concerns that exist in relation to vaccination and to create demand for vaccines. A key part of this strategy is to counter the anti-vaccination movement that is already promoting hesitancy and resistance.

                  This paper aims to set out in short form critical guidelines that governments and regional bodies should take to enhance the impact of a COVID-19 vaccination strategy. We base our recommendations on a review of existing best practice guidance. This paper aims to assist those responsible for promoting COVID-19 vaccine uptake to digest the mass of guidance that exists and formulate an effective locally relevant strategy.

                  A summary of key guidelines is presented based on best practice guidance.

                  Source: Key Guidelines in Developing a Pre-Emptive COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake Promotion Strategy

                    Views 762

                    Long-Term Care Facility Toolkit: Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccination at Your Facility

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                    This toolkit provides long-term care facility (LTCF) administrators and clinical leadership with information and resources to help build vaccine confidence among healthcare personnel (HCP) and residents.

                    The toolkit emphasizes the critical role played by health professionals in providing trusted information and ensuring high COVID-19 vaccination coverage in their facility.

                    Source: Long-Term Care Facility Toolkit: Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccination at Your Facility

                      Views 625