Outbreaks of disease globally have sharpened the focus on how we can achieve high immunisation coverage. This workshop aims to equip participants with strategies for positive change in immunisation policy and programs. There are a set of well-established factors that could make immunisation rates higher or make programs more safe or equitable. There are also areas where policy or program change could make a relatively large increase in coverage but where it is traditionally difficult to mobilise the political momentum and resources. In addition, there are debates about how best to respond to the ongoing problem of vaccine refusal.

To achieve positive change, advocacy is needed. Moore et al define advocacy as “persuading decision makers of the need for change through identifying desired public health outcomes and effective and feasible methods of achieving that change.”

The workshop focused on advocacy for increasing immunisation rates of existing NIP vaccines across the age spectrum. Advocacy strategies may include media advocacy, submissions to parliamentary committees, writing to or meeting with ministers, engaging with or within government departments, grass roots citizen advocacy. They may be urgent and reactive or ongoing efforts for long term change.

 Workshop attracted immunisation researchers, practitioners, program managers, policy makers, organisations in health, consumers and others with a stake in improving immunisation programs.

AIMS OF THE WORKSHOP

1. Gain insight into media, government and political processes so that advocates can work most effectively in shaping strategies and messages
2. Gain insight into political, government and mass media processes relevant to advocates.
3. Learn from case studies of successful advocacy
4. Establish a set of tools for effective immunisation advocacy for a specified issue

Workshop presentations

What is Advocacy? - Michael Moore

Immunisation coverage - How much do we need? How do we get there? - Peter McIntyre

Immunisation advocacy - Aspects for migrants and refugees - Ayman Alhaboub