Closing the COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Gap Among Health Workers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Health workers need to get vaccinated for COVID-19 to protect both themselves and others. In their role as frontline workers, they have higher exposure to the virus, and they have a powerful influence on public vaccine attitudes and behavior. Therefore, health workers are a priority group for COVID-19 vaccination, yet many still have not taken the vaccine, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In countries where overall vaccination rates are still quite low, health workers may also face more barriers to getting vaccinated. Public health programs thus need innovative approaches to support health workers’ acceptance and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Want to learn more? Download a companion piece detailing the solutions and watch the Closing the COVID-19 Vaccine Gap webinar (both available in English and French).

Source: Closing the COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Gap Among Health Workers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

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    La Voz de los Religiosos Guatemala March-April 2022

    The La Voz de los Religiosos campaign in Guatemala aired March through April 2022. The campaign aired six testimonials from prominent religious leaders promoting COVID-19 Vaccination. Testimonials aired on national TV and Radio and were also disseminated on Social Media.

    Source: La Voz de los Religiosos Guatemala March-April 2022

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      ¡Vacúnate ya contra el COVID y vive calidá! Guatemala Vaccine Campaign May-June 2022

      The ¡Vacúnate ya contra el Covid y vive calidá! rural COVID-19 communication campaign was launched in 14 municipalities of Huehuetenango, San Marcos, Quiché, and Alta Verapaz. The campaign materials included TV, print, mobile loudspeaker audio, social media in Spanish as well as radio spots in 6 languages (Spanish, Ixil, Mam, Poqomchi’, Q’eqchi’, and Q’anjob’al). The campaign promoted vaccination among individuals hesitant to get vaccinated, people who need their second dose, pregnant women and nursing mothers, and parents of children aged 12–17 years.

      Source: ¡Vacúnate ya contra el COVID y vive calidá! Guatemala Vaccine Campaign May-June 2022

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        Secondary symptoms of the COVID-19 vaccine indicate that your body is preparing to fight the virus! 💪 Do not believe in false rumors and #GetVaxxed

        This is a tweet from Baltimore City’s Health Department explaining that the common side affects from the COVID-19 vaccine are a sign that the body is producing the antibodies necessary to fight the virus.

        Source: Secondary symptoms of the COVID-19 vaccine indicate that your body is preparing to fight the virus! 💪 Do not believe in false rumors and #GetVaxxed

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        Factitious

        This is an interactive game from American University that helps you learn how to spot COVID-19 misinformation and disinformation. The game displays various news articles, social media posts, etc. and you will then determine if it is a trustworthy source or false/misleading.

        Source: Factitious

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          February COVID-19 Behaviors Newsletter

          New data on the COVID Behaviors Dashboard indicate that people in most countries are currently hungry for information about COVID-19 variants and treatment. As the surge of cases brought by the omicron variant fades in France, India, the United States and elsewhere, countries like Chile, Norway, and Malaysia are still at or approaching their peaks.

          Explore how key data points on the dashboard—such as masking behaviors and structural barriers to vaccination—have changed in this most recent period.

          Source: February COVID-19 Behaviors Newsletter

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            COVID Vaccine Ambassador Training: How to Talk to Parents

            In collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Consortium for School-Based Health Solutions, IVAC faculty have just launched a free online course, “COVID Vaccine Ambassador Training: How to Talk to Parents.”

            Designed for parents, teachers, and school staff, this online course aims to provide “vaccine ambassadors” with the tools to discuss concerns about COVID-19 vaccines with people in their communities. The self-paced course teaches adults how to have respectful and empathetic conversations with parents and guardians who remain hesitant about vaccination for their children, even if they are vaccinated themselves.

            The goal of the course is to empower more people to communicate with parents in the U.S. who have concerns about vaccinating their children, despite the availability of safe, effective, and free COVID-19 vaccines for children ages five and up. In recent weeks, COVID-19 hospitalizations in children have spiked to record levels, including among unvaccinated children ages 5 and up who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 672 children age 17 and under were admitted to hospitals every day with COVID-19 during the week ending Sunday, January 2—the highest such number of the pandemic. These numbers underscore the urgency to get eligible children across the country vaccinated and boosted now.

            The COVID-19 Vaccine Ambassador course covers evidence-based communication strategies, with video explainers and FAQs about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines, as well as lessons on how to engage in constructive conversations about vaccine hesitancy. The course also includes reliable sources of information about COVID-19 vaccines, an important tool in discussions around vaccines.

            Source: COVID Vaccine Ambassador Training: How to Talk to Parents

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              New COVID Behaviors Reports January 2022 update

              Omicron continued to impact COVID-19 testing and positivity rates in the Jan 1-15 data period, with 30% or more of respondents in the United States, South Africa, Paraguay, and elsewhere reporting that they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 14 days.

              Explore how key prevention behaviors—such as masking and vaccination—have changed in this most recent data period on the COVID Behaviors Dashboard.

              Source: New COVID Behaviors Reports January 2022 update

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                COVID Behaviors Dashboard: Updated Data Show Omicron Trends

                Global Omicron cases have exploded since the COVID-19 variant was first reported to the World Health Organization on November 24. The most recent data from the COVID Behaviors Dashboard reflects that trend: the highest percentage of respondents in multiple countries are reporting positive test results since the dashboard went live in May of 2021.

                • Reported positivity rates have jumped at least 10 percentage points in South Africa, Mozambique, Puerto Rico, and many other countries in the past month.
                • In the November 16-30 data collection period for South Africa, 7% of tests were positive. In the most recent December period, that number rose to 37%, more than a four-fold increase.

                Other insights from the latest data collection period (Dec 16-31):

                • 20% of unvaccinated health workers in Japan are now reporting that they will definitely get vaccinated, up from only 3% in early December
                • 90% of South African respondents reported that they have worn a mask all or most of the time, but only 70% believe that all or most other people are wearing masks
                • Respondents in Nigeria have consistently reported a lack of vaccine appointments as the top barrier to vaccination (32% indicating)

                Source: COVID Behaviors Dashboard: Updated Data Show Omicron Trends

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