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COVID-19 Vaccination in Lower-Middle Income Countries: National Stakeholder Views on Challenges, Barriers, and Potential Solutions.
Tagoe, Eunice Twumwaa; Sheikh, Nurnabi; Morton, Alec; Nonvignon, Justice; Sarker, Abdur Razzaque; Williams, Lynn; Megiddo, Itamar.
  • Tagoe ET; Department of Management Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
  • Sheikh N; Department of Management Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
  • Morton A; Department of Management Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
  • Nonvignon J; School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
  • Sarker AR; Population Studies Division, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Williams L; School of Psychological Sciences & Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
  • Megiddo I; Department of Management Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Front Public Health ; 9: 709127, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1369737
ABSTRACT
The development of COVID-19 vaccines does not imply the end of the global pandemic as now countries have to purchase enough COVID-19 vaccine doses and work towards their successful rollout. Vaccination across the world has progressed slowly in all, but a few high-income countries (HICs) as governments learn how to vaccinate their entire populations amidst a pandemic. Most low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have been relying on the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility to obtain vaccines. COVAX aims to provide these countries with enough doses to vaccinate 20% of their populations. LMICs will likely encounter additional barriers and challenges rolling out vaccines compared HICs despite their significant experience from the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). This study explores potential barriers that will arise during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in lower-middle-income countries and how to overcome them. We conducted sixteen semi-structured interviews with national-level stakeholders from Ghana and Bangladesh (eight in each country). Stakeholders included policymakers and immunisation programme experts. Data were analysed using a Framework Analysis technique. Stakeholders believed their country could use existing EPI structures for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout despite existing challenges with the EPI and despite its focus on childhood immunisation rather than vaccinating the entire population over a short period of time. Stakeholders suggested increasing confidence in the vaccine through community influencers and by utilising local government accredited institutions such as the Drug Authorities for vaccine approval. Additional strategies they discussed included training more health providers and recruiting volunteers to increase vaccination speed, expanding government budgets for COVID-19 vaccine purchase and delivery, and exploring other financing opportunities to address in-country vaccine shortages. Stakeholders also believed that LMICs may encounter challenges complying with priority lists. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 vaccination is different from previous vaccination programs, and therefore, policymakers have to expand the EPI structure and also take a systematic and collaborative approach to plan and effectively rollout the vaccines.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Immunization Programs / COVID-19 Vaccines / COVID-19 Type of study: Qualitative research / Systematic review/Meta Analysis Topics: Vaccines Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Front Public Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Fpubh.2021.709127

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Immunization Programs / COVID-19 Vaccines / COVID-19 Type of study: Qualitative research / Systematic review/Meta Analysis Topics: Vaccines Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Front Public Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Fpubh.2021.709127