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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 768

    Checklist: How to Create Content About the COVID-19 Vaccine

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    Creating content about the COVID-19 vaccines requires a deliberate, well-executed plan. As you begin developing vaccine content at your institution, use our step-by-step checklist to ensure a smooth rollout.

    Anyone can download this free checklist to learn the following:

    • How your content can lower readers’ anxiety and reassure them as they search for vaccine information
    • The most effective ways to reach your unique audience and how to address their concerns
    • Specific questions you’ll need to answer about getting the vaccine at your health system
    • Methods for handling false information on your social channels

    Source: Checklist: How to Create Content About the COVID-19 Vaccine

      Views 578

      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 627

        Return to School Video for Kids

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        This video shows a group of students returning to school and expressing concerns about COVID-19. The videos were produced by USAID Kenya and are available in English and Swahili.

        Source: Return to School Video for Kids

          Views 1042

          The Best Evidence for How to Overcome COVID Vaccine Fears

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          Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is becoming available, somewhere between 60 and 90 percent of adults and children must be vaccinated or have antibodies resulting from infection in order to arrive at the safe harbor known as herd immunity, where the whole community is protected.

          However, among the US population, there are large segments that remain reluctant or opposed to receiving the vaccines. In the Kaiser Family Foundation poll, 42 percent of Republicans said they definitely or probably would not. The same was true for 35 percent of Black adults, who, as a group, have borne a disproportionate share of sickness and death from COVID-19. Also deeply hesitant were 35 percent of rural residents, 36 percent of adults ages 30 to 49, and—especially worrisome given their public-facing roles—33 percent of essential workers and 29 percent of those who work in a health care delivery setting.

          For the reluctant and distrustful, it will take targeted actions and communication strategies that speak to the specific concerns of each group to move them toward accepting the new vaccines. This article describes several approaches to reach those audiences.

          Source: The Best Evidence for How to Overcome COVID Vaccine Fears

            Views 931

            Inside the Mind of an Anti-vaxxer

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            This article describes the attitude of the many individuals in the US who are against vaccination and details steps that can be taken to change their attitudes and behavior.

            The various options of changing people’s attitudes toward vaccinations are discussed.

            Source: Inside the Mind of an Anti-vaxxer

              Views 594

              COVID-19: Can Behavior Insights Address Vaccine Hesitancy and Increase Take-up?

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              In efforts to reduce infections by COVID-19, effective vaccines will only contribute to herd immunity if people accept them and follow the correct vaccination course. The take-up rate is a crucial variable to consider in the quest to achieve herd immunity.

              For instance, with a 90% effective vaccine, we need a 77.7% take-up rate if the herd immunity threshold is 70%. Currently, the picture is mixed: in a global survey of potential acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine, positive responses ranged from 55% in Russia to 87% in China. In September 2020, a Pew survey suggested that 49% of American adults would refuse a COVID-19 vaccine.

              The behavioral science literature suggests the importance of understanding the underlying drivers of vaccine decision-making. Countries should design their strategies for vaccine take-up to target these factors, including the perceived risk of disease and side effects, social norms, costs in terms of time and effort, and trust in the health system and government. Behavior science offers options that go beyond traditional behavior change campaigns.

              Source: COVID-19: Can Behavior Insights Address Vaccine Hesitancy and Increase Take-up?

                Views 483

                Four Things You Can Do to Support Your Teen’s Mental Health

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                This is guidance for parents to help them deal with their teenagers’ mental health, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

                The four things parents can do are:

                1. Encourage them to share their feelings
                2. Take the time to support them
                3. Work through conflict together
                4. Care for yourself

                Source: Four Things You Can Do to Support Your Teen’s Mental Health

                  Views 561

                  Tips for Professional Reporting on COVID-19 Vaccines

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                  Journalists play a vital role in informing the public on science, specifically vaccine, developments, in an unprecedented period of scientific publishing.

                  The situation is constantly evolving but there are some general guidelines that should be followed whenever possible:

                  • Don’t just report the topline
                  • Don’t trust data automatically
                  • Use trusted and reliable sources
                  • State the source
                  • Define the terms
                  • Use clear language
                  • Explain the stage
                  • Report the numbers
                  • Disclose the side effects
                  • Use appropriate imagery
                  • Don’t forget demographics
                  • Remind everyone of the benefits of vaccines

                  Tackle vaccine hesitancy by reporting facts and figures on vaccine efficacy in ending epidemics throughout history.

                  Source: Tips for Professional Reporting on COVID-19 Vaccines

                    Views 556

                    Vaccine Confidence Project

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                    This site serves as a collection of resources from around the world that can be used to gain further information about vaccines and their recommended usage.

                    The purpose of the Vaccine Confidence Project is to monitor public confidence in immunization programs by building an information surveillance system for early detection of public concerns around vaccines; by applying a diagnostic tool to data collected to determine the risk level of public concerns in terms of their potential to disrupt vaccine programmes; and, finally, to provide analysis and guidance for early response and engagement with the public to ensure sustained confidence in vaccines and immunisation.

                    This initiative also defines a Vaccine Confidence Index™ (VCI) as a tool for mapping confidence globally.

                    Source: Vaccine Confidence Project

                      Views 780