Preprint Case Report Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Key learnings from the development and early use of global guidance on the integration of COVID-19 vaccination into broader health systems

Ibrahim Dadari
* ORCID logo ,
Alba Vilajeliu
,
Viorica Berdaga
,
Shalini Rozario
,
Phoebe Meyer
,
Laura Nic Lochlainn
,
Dirk Horemans
,
Nuria Toro
,
Gloria Lihemo
,
Sanjay Bhardwaj
,
Peter Cowley
,
Diana Chang Blanc
,
Florence Yeanoh Conteh Nordman
,
Imran Mirza
ORCID logo ,
Shahira Malm
,
Ida Marie Ameda
,
Ann Lindstrand
ORCID logo
Version 1 : Received: 21 December 2023 / Approved: 22 December 2023 / Online: 25 December 2023 (09:17:01 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Dadari, I.; Vilajeliu, A.; Berdaga, V.; Rozario, S.; Meyer, P.; Nic Lochlainn, L.; Horemans, D.; Toro, N.; Lihemo, G.; Bhardwaj, S.; Cowley, P.; Chang Blanc, D.; Conteh-Nordman, F.; Mirza, I.; Malm, S.; Ameda, I.M.; Lindstrand, A. Key Learnings from the Development and Early Use of Global Guidance on the Integration of COVID-19 Vaccination into Broader Health Systems. Vaccines 2024, 12, 196. Dadari, I.; Vilajeliu, A.; Berdaga, V.; Rozario, S.; Meyer, P.; Nic Lochlainn, L.; Horemans, D.; Toro, N.; Lihemo, G.; Bhardwaj, S.; Cowley, P.; Chang Blanc, D.; Conteh-Nordman, F.; Mirza, I.; Malm, S.; Ameda, I.M.; Lindstrand, A. Key Learnings from the Development and Early Use of Global Guidance on the Integration of COVID-19 Vaccination into Broader Health Systems. Vaccines 2024, 12, 196.

Abstract

More than 13.5 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have so far been delivered between 2021 and 2023 through a mix of delivery platforms, with mass vaccination campaigns being the main approach. In 2022, with the most likely scenario of continued circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and the need for periodic booster doses, there was a need for countries to plan for more sustainable approaches to provide COVID-19 vaccination. In this context of uncertainty, a global tool for integrating COVID-19 vaccines into immunization programmes and primary health care was published jointly by WHO and UNICEF to respond to country needs. The guidance leveraged existing health system frameworks, proposed four steps for the COVID-19 integration journey, and identified investment areas. The development process maximized robust global stakeholder and country engagement, and the timeframe was aligned with donor funding windows to support the integration of COVID-19 vaccination. The rapid dissemination of guidance allowed its use by countries to ascertain their readiness for integrating COVID-19 vaccination and inform the development of national plans and funding applications. While progress has been made in specific areas (e.g., optimizing cold chain and logistics leveraging COVID-19 vaccination), in the context of decreasing demand for COVID-19 vaccines, reaching adult COVID-19 vaccine high-priority-use groups and engaging and coordinating with other health programmes (beyond immunization) remains a challenge. We share the learning that despite the uncertainties of a pandemic, guidance documents can be developed and used within a short timeframe. Working in partnership with stakeholders beyond immunization towards a common objective is powerful and can allow progress to be made on integrating health services and preparing better for future pandemics.

Keywords

COVID-19 vaccine, Immunization Programmes, Global guidance, Integration, Primary Health Care, integrated health services, health systems

Subject

Public Health and Healthcare, Health Policy and Services

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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