Mobilizing community volunteers as ‘Bakuna Champions’
Effective vaccine supply and logistics are vital in implementing a successful immunization program. But it is equally important that the community has confidence in, and supports and demands, safe and effective immunization services, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The Department of Health (DoH) recognizes the importance of engaging the community to address vaccine hesitancy among Filipinos, increase the country’s immunization coverage, and ultimately reduce the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases.
“Research has shown that one way to address vaccine hesitancy is through social mobilization, which has been proven effective in enhancing health outcomes through immunization in lowand middle-income countries,” said Dr. Samuele Anton Quizon, technical officer of the DoH Health Promotion Bureau during the Health Connect webinar.
Vaccine hesitancy remains an issue among Filipinos following a May 2021 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey which found that only three out of 10 Filipinos are willing to be vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
This survey result reflected a Vaccine Confidence Project which said that the percentage of Filipinos “strongly agreeing” that vaccines are important plummeted from 93% in 2015 to 32% in 2018. Confidence that vaccines are safe also fell from 82% in 2015 to only 21% in 2018 while confidence in the effectiveness of vaccines dropped from 82% in 2015 to only 22%.
The task is indeed huge since the DoH said that only 62% of Filipino children have completed their routine vaccines in 2020, down from 69% in 2019.
Dr. Quizon, however, cited several countries that have improved their immunization coverage by tapping community-based volunteers. These include India where community-based volunteers were instrumental in addressing a poliomyelitis outbreak; Bangladesh where volunteer “Model Mothers” helped in controlling a diphtheria outbreak; and Pakistan where religious leaders were tapped to help spread vaccination messages within their communities.
“Community volunteers for health can effectively carry out their duties and responsibilities when they are appropriately trained, supervised and incentivized. They can serve as a bridge to support local health workers in advocating for the immunization program,” he said.
Recognizing that social mobilization is an effective means to promote vaccination in the community, the DoH prioritized the development of a training module for community-based volunteers or Bakuna Champions in the Playbook for Immunization.
The DoH playbook was inspired by UNICEF’s Bayani Para sa Bakuna program implemented in the cities of Taguig and Manila. Around 63 Bakuna Champions who completed the capacity-building program received positive feedback from barangay residents. They developed communication plans and presented these to their local leaders. The Bakuna Champions completed on-the-job exercises and documented their accomplishments.
The immunization playbook carries recommendations for a successful campaign. First, create the foundation for a sustainable social mobilization. This can be achieved by empowering a communitybased team of volunteers to support local health workers and amplify positive health behaviors on immunization and health.
Second, decrease the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases. The social mobilization process may be used to develop local strategies and activities to address vaccine hesitancy.
The Immunization Playbook seeks to be an end-to-end guide to help support local government units in implementing the Bakuna Champions program. It contains a template ordinance that can be adopted and modified by local leaders based on their context; a step-by-step implementation checklist, and a list of basic resource requirements to implement the program and foster Bakuna Champions in their communities.
The playbook also includes a capacity-building outline on suggested modules for program implementation; a template communication plan that contains key messages for key stakeholders as well as samples of communication materials; and a frequently asked questions list for Bakuna Champions and the general public.
Through the immunization playbook, the DoH hopes to equip Bakuna Champions not only with the technical knowledge on immunization, but also with inspiration and motivation to carry out their duties.
TEODORO B. PADILLA is the executive director of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP). PHAP represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its Members are in the forefront of research and development efforts for COVID-19 and other diseases that affect Filipinos.