July 2015
Engaging Immunization Stakeholders on the OPV Switch:
A short guide for in-country communication planning
The Polio Endgame Plan requires the removal of all OPVs in the long term, beginning with a switch from
trivalent OPV (tOPV) to bivalent OPV (bOPV), removing the type 2 component (OPV 2) from immunization
programmes.
Given the relatively technical and logistical nature of the OPV switch, related communication approaches
may be strategically targeted using a risk-based approach.
In this context, national health officials, and immunization stakeholders such as local medical experts and
associations, CSOs, NGO implementing partners and other key groups, are all important partners in the
communications environment.
Establishing a dialogue about the OPV switch with national immunization stakeholders will be critical to:
- Boost their awareness and understanding of the OPV switch, in the context of the Polio Endgame Plan
and the importance of strong routine immunization programmes
- Enable them to respond to questions from their communities to help maintain accurate information
flows and address any potential rumours
Early planning for managing the communications and stakeholder engagement activities related to the
switch will be essential. Planning may include a “situation analysis”, which helps to identify specific
audiences, as well as their existing levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices. This analysis will then
inform the development of audience-specific and locally adapted materials, and messaging.
Questions to consider in the development of a stakeholder engagement strategy:
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What stakeholder groups are local partners or advocates for the immunization programme?
What is the role of these stakeholders in supporting the immunization programme?
How do these groups normally receive and exchange information about the programme? How often?
What questions or concerns of the stakeholders could be anticipated?
What are the potential risks and opportunities for communicating on the switch?
What is the plan to anticipate, assess and respond to any potential issues?
The table on the following page outlines the activities, key messages, and existing tools that can be used to
best inform and engage with various target audiences about the OPV switch.
Considerations and existing materials to support stakeholder engagement
The selection of materials used per target audience should be determined based on national preferences.
Target audience
and role
Objectives of
engagement
How to best
engage
Decision-makers:
- Facilitate dialogue
Government
officials (Ministers,
politicians), and
those helping to
inform decisionmaking
- Mobilize planning
Switch
implementers and
medical experts:
- Support timely
preparation and
implementation
- Planning and
coordination
meetings
- Facilitate
communication with
caregivers and
community
- Orientations and
briefings
Partner
organizations,
paediatric
associations,
switch monitors
- Lead management
of potential risks
- Planning and
coordination
meetings
- Orientations and
briefings
- Lead on AEFI
communications
Supporting resources
available
OPV Switch Briefing Note (EN, FR)
Switch Overview PPT (EN, FR)
Detailed Switch FAQs (EN, FR) or
Basic FAQs (EN, FR)
VAPP and cVDPV Fact Sheet (EN,
FR)
- Outreach to
private sector and
professional
associations
Planning and Implementation PPT
(EN, FR)
Detailed Switch FAQs (EN, FR)
VAPP and cVDPV Fact Sheet (EN,
FR)
Stock management kit (for
logisticians and disposal team) (EN,
FR)
Monitoring kit (EN, FR)
Health care
workers
Media
NGOs and CSOs
including
community and
traditional leaders,
and local councils
- Inform and equip,
ensuring able to
manage stock and
respond to basic
questions
- Training sessions
- In-service
refreshers
Health worker training materials
(EN, FR, SP)
Switch job aide (EN, FR, SP)
- Monitoring and
supervision visits
Basic FAQs (EN, FR)
- Reinforce basic
rationale for the
switch
- Promote the use of
OPV+IPV as very
safe and offering
best protection
- Orientations and
media briefings
OPV Switch Briefing Note (EN, FR)
- Raise awareness
and develop
knowledge
- Orientations and
briefings
- Address any
concerns and
rumours
- In the event of
issues, potential
press conference
VAPP and cVDPV Fact Sheet (EN,
FR)
Switch Overview PPT (EN, FR)
Media kit (EN, FR, SP)
Basic FAQs (EN, FR)
VAPP and cVDPV Fact Sheet (EN,
FR)
- Coordination
platforms
OPV Switch Briefing Note (EN, FR)
Switch Overview PPT (EN, FR)
Basic FAQs (EN, FR)
All resources are available online for use and adaptation to the local contexts as applicable:
who.int/immunization/diseases/poliomyelitis/endgame_objective2/en/