UNICEF East Asia and Pacific’s Post

UNICEF efforts in supporting countries to adopt, scale and institutionalize digital immunization systems is exemplary. UNICEF East Asia and Pacific have continued to strengthen existing digital immunization systems to further support the recording and reporting of vaccine supplies to ensure it reaches the target population across Asia–Pacific countries. This includes supporting countries to transit from paper-based documentation to agile digital systems ensuring that vaccines are tracked and distributed equitably up to the last mile.

Millions of children worldwide still miss out on life-saving vaccines, but barriers to access vary based on unique community circumstances. In Nigeria’s Kumbotso Local Government Area, these challenges have contributed to high rates of delayed vaccination. A new peer-reviewed study in Vaccines piloted a decentralized immunization monitoring approach to pinpoint gaps and target solutions. The findings show how localized data and strong community engagement can close coverage gaps and advance equity. Led by JSI and funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Zero-Dose Learning Hub is committed to identifying and sharing best practices for reaching zero-dose and underimmunized children. 📄 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/esDVF7jj #GlobalHealth #Immunization #ZeroDose 

Over the next three days, UNICEF Supply is hosting the annual Vaccine Industry Consultation (VIC) at the UNICEF Global Supply Hub in Copenhagen. This year’s consultation brings together vaccine industry representatives and global immunization partners to discuss key vaccine market updates, the immunization landscape and realities in a changing global geopolitical landscape and a resource-constrained environment. These discussion are crucial to effective planning and the sustained availability of life-saving vaccines for children. At UNICEF, we believe every child has the right to grow up healthy and have access to vaccines. By working with our partners in the vaccine industry, we are better able to deliver vaccines for preventive campaigns, outbreak responses and emergencies. Thereby protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases. Click the link to learn more about the VIC: https://lnkd.in/dsb7TJuR Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Gates Foundation World Health Organization Andrew O. Jones

https://lnkd.in/dGxhxFxK The recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the stark disparities in global vaccine distribution, with low-income countries facing significant challenges in accessing life-saving vaccines. Despite progress in global immunization efforts, the WHO and UNICEF have reported that vaccine uptake has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, leaving millions of children and infants at risk of preventable diseases. To effectively improve global vaccine distribution by 2030, we must overcome logistical barriers like inadequate cold chains and infrastructure, address resource constraints and staffing shortages, and combat challenges such as vaccine hesitancy and socioeconomic inequities that hinder access.

Christian Health Association Of Nigeria (CHAN) is supporting the government of Nigeria to reduce Zero-Dose Children in Humanitarian and Conflict Settings in the REACH Project in collaboration with IRC. The project is implemented in Borno, Kaduna, Plateau and Sokoto States, in selected LGAs. In Basheti, Borno State, mistrust and conflict once kept children from lifesaving vaccines. The community’s resistance, rooted in fear and misinformation, was so strong that even respected leaders stood against immunization. Through the Gavi-funded REACH project, CHAN patiently engaged these leaders with respect, dialogue, and culturally appropriate communication. Over time, trust was rebuilt. What began with scepticism ended with acceptance and transformation. 👉🏾 By April 2025, CHAN had administered nearly 400,000 routine vaccine doses in Borno, including over 14,000 yellow fever doses. Leaders who once opposed vaccines are now champions, urging families to protect their children. 💡 The story of Basheti proves that building trust is as important as delivering vaccines. It highlights how community leadership, persistence, and partnership can break barriers, even in fragile, conflict-affected areas. #vaccineswork #immunization #community #healthsystems #impact 🔗 Read the full story here: How a vaccine-wary community in Borno state got protected

The Vaccine Confidence Fund II shows what’s possible when digital innovation meets trusted community networks. In its newly released Impact Report, VCF II showcases how it reached more than 4.1 million people, trained nearly 3,000 local champions, and delivered measurable impact at scale: ✅739% increase in COVID-19 vaccinations among seniors in Argentina ✅200% increase in HPV vaccine uptake in the Philippines ✅99% greater vaccine comfort reported in Guatemala These results demonstrate that digital platforms and community trust can work hand-in-hand to reduce misinformation, lower costs, and save lives. We are proud to fiscally sponsor this pioneering initiative and to work alongside partners like Advancing Health Online to drive real change in global health. 📽️ Watch the video to see the highlights.

People often ask: is there solid evidence that investing in #digital health actually delivers impact and not just “shiny”, expensive tools? Short answer: yes! Again, think how long you and those around you spend online. What if even a tiny slice of that content were designed and delivered well to improve health outcomes? Findings from the Global Impact #Vaccine Confidence Fund II Impact Report (11 projects, 9 countries) highlights: ✅ 4.1M people reached, with measurable behavior change. ✅ 2,918 #community champions mobilized, blending digital and local networks. ✅ In #Argentina, a WhatsApp chatbot quadrupled #COVID-19 vaccinations among older adults. ✅ In the #Philippines, targeted approaches drove a 42.1% increase in second-dose routine immunization. ✅ Integrated digital–community strategies outperformed digital-only, delivering up to 2.3× higher impact. ✅ Average cost per vaccination as low as $22.11, about 68% lower than conventional campaigns. Explore the full report for what worked - and, just as importantly, what didn’t: https://lnkd.in/dvGvDrs2 #DigitalHealth #HealthForAll #Health4All

From our colleagues at Global Impact (part of Global Impact Ventures): An exciting new report highlights how the Vaccine Confidence Fund II is delivering measurable impact and driving increased vaccine uptake. 🎥Watch the video below to learn more!

Proud to share the newly released Impact Report from the Vaccine Confidence Fund II.   With support from AHO, VCF II powered 11 projects that: ✔️Reached 4.1M+ people across 9 countries ✔️Reduced average vaccine campaign costs by 68% ✔️Trained nearly 3,000 local champions to fight misinformation   Watch the video for key highlights from our report: https://lnkd.in/euggViFk

Last year, Kongo Central became the first province in the DRC to begin rolling out the #MalariaVaccine. But only a fraction of caregivers were willing to bring their children for vaccination. Misconceptions about vaccines were widespread. So PATH and UNICEF launched a bold experiment: a youth-led communication challenge aimed at increasing vaccine demand in communities most at risk of low uptake. The initiative focused on building trust, countering rumors, and helping families adhere to the recommended 4-dose vaccine schedule. Youth clubs were trained on malaria and immunization messaging and given communication materials—posters, job aids, audio spots—to support their outreach. In the community, they take a personal approach: knocking on doors, sitting with families, and answering questions one by one. “When someone opens their door and sees a familiar face from the neighborhood, they’re more likely to listen,” explains medical student Michael Makiese Nlandu, who coordinates the youth group in Kisantu. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gx8JBsvw Article by: Anne Boher #VaccinesWork #EndMalaria