Challenge
The mortality burden associated with vaccine-preventable diseases and the impact of vaccines to reduce morbidity and mortality have long been the centerpiece of messaging used by advocates to bolster support for robust immunization programs in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). However, in recent years, as new priorities in global health continue to emerge and competition for investment and focus shifts, improved messaging about the wider direct AND indirect benefits of immunization are needed to articulate the broad and long-lasting impact of vaccines for individuals, households, economies, and societies.
Approach
The Value of Immunization Compendium of Evidence (VoICE), found at www.immunizationevidence.org, is a searchable database intended to support immunization, child health and global health advocates by synthesizing evidence about the broader value of vaccines. The compendium contains evidence grouped into themes based on the latest findings about the impact that vaccines, and vaccine-preventable diseases, can have on the health, economic status, societal well-being, equity, and other factors affecting families and nations worldwide. The VoICE team at IVAC works to curate and synthesize evidence from peer-reviewed articles and other high-quality resources to continuously expand the compendium. The VoICE tool contains more than 450 key ideas, data summaries and sources – with more added each week – illustrating the broad value of immunization and toll of vaccine-preventable disease as organized under primary topic areas and more than 25 subtopics.
The VoICE team also develops cross-cutting featured issues that highlight a specific issue or relationship between vaccination and a given topic, such as pneumonia, poverty or nutrition. Here, we’re able to connect evidence from VoICE – and external experts – across the societal, economic and health spectrums to illustrate the breadth and depth of immunization’s value with respect to a given topic.”
Results
- Searchable compendium aimed to make valuable vaccine evidence more accessible, organized into overarching concepts and summarized results, grouped into key topics: education, economics, health, health systems, equity, and pressing global issues
- Cross-cutting narratives featuring timely topics of relevance to professional advocates
- Media library featuring a free-to-use collection of data visualizations, images, videos, and social media content
