Leadership Forum on Vaccine Confidence- Gujarat & Maharashtra, 10th July, 2019

The first LFVC for Maharashtra and Gujarat region (MH-GJ LFVC) was held on 10th July 2019. The Leadership Forum on Vaccine Confidence would serve as a platform to increase participation of civil society by bringing together leading physicians, pediatricians, politicians, community leaders, journalists, and technical experts including representatives from the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and research organizations, among others, to advise on local vaccine hesitancy issues and speak out as champions in the media and communities. Another measure to build vaccine confidence is to provide the media with appropriate information about immunization and vaccines. A range of communication material, especially for media should be developed and shared at regular intervals. Immunization experts who are well briefed should be available to speak to the media as and when required. In the ongoing Measles Rubella campaign, few states disseminated positive information about the vaccine and its benefits which helped counter misinformation.

The LFVC members will meet on a quarterly basis to discuss emerging challenges and approaches to counter misinformation. The next regional meeting of LFVC is expected to take place in Maharashtra in October or November 2019. The Indian Association of Pediatrics has offered to host the meeting at its office in Mumbai.

Leadership Forum on Vaccine Confidence Regional Meet – Mumbai, Maharashtra, 5th November2019

The 2nd LFVC for Maharashtra and Gujarat region (MH-GJ LFVC) was held on 5th November 2019. At the latest meeting in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on 5th November, members agreed to aid in the development of key messages that can serve as a reference or guide for communicating via traditional, digital or social media platforms. To this end, the LFVC has agreed to form a subcommittee that will advise on and review this messaging framework. Members have also committed to engaging more proactively with the media to disseminate evidence-based messaging on value of vaccinations. The key point of discussion at the 2nd LFVC meeting revolved around the need to communicate effectively and engage diverse audiences in a discourse on the value of immunization. Despite government efforts, such as the roll out of Mission Indradhanush, 31% children remained unvaccinated in selected districts. Hesitancy accounted for 80% of the reasons for missing vaccination among the under-vaccinated.

Regional Workshop on Vaccine Confidence: 7th & 8th December 2019, The Grand, New Delhi

The first Regional Workshop on Vaccine Confidence aimed to bring together multiple stakeholders to sensitize them about the need for employing effective communications to address region-specific cases of vaccine hesitancy. It also aimed to equip private practitioners and government officials with the tools necessary to support existing immunization programs that protect children in India against life-threatening diseases.

The two-day workshop was organized by the Child Health Foundation (CHF), International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHPSPH), and Global Health Strategies (GHS) on 7th and 8th December 2019.

The key focus of the workshop was to facilitate cross-sector knowledge sharing on common challenges, identifying areas of potential collaboration and sharing resources to equip champions. Participants included government officials nominated by state governments, pediatricians, medical professionals and technical experts from Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP). The workshop enabled a robust discussion on the various issues related to vaccine confidence in the country. Participants took on an active role in the conversation and provided suggestions for next steps to build trust, and ensure the increased uptake of vaccines within local communities.