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workshop on enhancing communication around influenza vaccination (weeciv)

centers for disease control and prevention, atlanta, usa,

11-13 june 2013

context

investment in early intervention health care is a proven strategy to decrease high costs burdening the public and government sectors. by strengthening preparedness capacity and supporting low-cost preventative services, mortality rates and the health of populations can be significantly improved. over the past 6 years, considerable investments have been made to establish and expand influenza vaccine manufacturing capacity in developing countries. these investments have improved preparedness for seasonal and pandemic influenza, and have indirectly improved health systems, surveillance, detection, and response activities by leveraging additional support and building capacity within these countries and regions. to fully maximize investments and to ensure sustainability of influenza vaccine manufacturing in developing countries, there is a need to increase national and regional uptake of vaccination.

the percentage of who member states incorporating seasonal influenza vaccination into national immunization programs remains low with significant regional variations. high vaccine and service costs, competing health priorities, difficulties in measuring vaccine efficacy and cost–effectiveness, and adverse public opinion regarding vaccination all influence the policy decisions affecting national immunization programs.

effectively communicating the benefit of influenza vaccination is an essential component to increase the vaccine uptake and inclusion into national influenza immunization programmes. firstly, these benefits need to be understood by the key players that promote vaccination at national level (health promotion departments and healthcare workers). health care workers are increasingly important in influencing vaccination choices, and new appro