During the COVID-19 pandemic, PIVI partner countries were able to use their influenza vaccination programs to respond more quickly, efficiently, and impactfully to deliver COVID-19 vaccines. This experience confirmed the data from the 2009 influenza pandemic that adult vaccination programs for influenza were effective mechanisms for pandemic vaccine preparedness. The COVID-19 vaccine experience has also increased the country’s interest in sustaining and growing vaccination programs that include adult target groups, especially health workers.
In order to both protect health workers and build up pandemic resilience, PIVI is partnering with the Ministry of Health in Zambia to launch an innovative program to vaccinate health workers against influenza and hepatitis B.
PROJECT OUTCOMES
- National immunization program capacities are strengthened to vaccinate HCWs against COVID-19, Influenza, and Hepatitis B.
- Partner countries have information on the feasibility and resource requirements to develop and sustain HCWs vaccination programs for routine and emergency immunization.
- Project data and learnings are used effectively to identify investments, strategies, and innovations that can be used to strengthen and sustain HCWs vaccination programs in LMICs beyond this project in other countries.
PROJECT OUTCOMES
- Increase in coverage of influenza vaccination in HCWs over time (option for country partners to set their specific targets)
- Assessment of program feasibility/costs of annual HCWs influenza vaccination
- Assessment of barriers and demand for vaccines among HWs
- Assessment of potential improvements to national pandemic readiness and emergency response, with a focus on vaccine readiness, following HW vaccination