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In this newsletter edition, we encourage you to see how your country’s immunisation program is performing by checking out our dashboards that were recently updated with 2024 WUENIC data. As a reminder, we developed individual country dashboards that provide a snapshot of key indicators for coverage, equity, financing, and new vaccine introductions.We also developed two additional dashboards – one that highlights regional trends in vaccine coverage and backsliding and another that summarizes indicators for country introductions of key missing vaccines.
We are also thrilled to share a new resource focused on strengthening electronic immunisation registries (EIRs). Countries and leading implementing partners have been road testing the WHO’s Digital Adaptation Kit (DAK) and Smart Guidelines over the past year and shared in a two-part webinar series hosted by Linked, how this five-layer framework covering everything from policy setting to advanced analytics can help countries align and update their Electronic Immunisation Registries (EIRs)faster, more affordably, and more easily. You can now read about their experiences and the key takeaways in a new report here.
Additionally, Linked brought together six countries for a workshop to discuss the effective “how-to” of implementing advocacy strategies which target a range of stakeholders to strengthen political commitment to prioritize sufficient domestic resources for immunisation programmes and the introduction of priority new vaccines. You can learn more about the country contexts by exploring the country posters on our website here.
As always, this newsletter also features relevant literature, guidance, case studies, and other tools from our partners and the global immunisation community that will enhance your knowledge and skills for targeting and reaching zero-dose children, addressing vaccine hesitancy and distrust and increasing vaccine uptake, operational guidelines for NITAGs, and more.
Warm regards,
Elizabeth Ohadi, Program Director, Linked Immunisation Action Network
Network Updates
Linked dashboards updated with 2024 WUENIC data – explore your country performance!
Every year, the World Health Organization and UNICEF release a set of figures that offer a powerful glimpse into the health of the world’s children, known as the WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunisation Coverage (WUENIC). The WUENIC data tells us how many children across the globe are being protected against deadly but preventable diseases. We are pleased to share that Linked country dashboards have been updated with 2024 WUENIC data. These dashboards aim to help middle-income countries track their progress toward strong immunisation programme performance and provide a snapshot of coverage, equity, financing, and new vaccine introductions. We also developed two additional dashboards – one that highlights regional trends in vaccine coverage and backsliding and another that summarizes indicators for country introductions of key missing vaccines. See how your country is performing here.
From Guidelines to Action: How Countries Are Using WHO’s Digital Adaptation Kit (DAK) to Strengthen Immunisation Systems
Governments across the globe are grappling with fragmented health data, particularly immunisation data, driven by the lack of interoperable and often outdated health systems. Recognizing this global challenge – the World Health Organization (WHO)—released in January 2025 the Immunisation Digital Adaptation Kit (DAK) and Smart Guidelines—which offers to EPI leaders scalable, standards-based guidance on how to adapt your immunisation systems quickly and easily.
Countries and leading implementing partners have been road testing this valuable tool over the past year– and shared in this Linked Immunisation Action Network two-part webinar series, how this five-layer framework covering everything from policy setting to advanced analytics can help countries align and update their Electronic Immunisation Registries (EIRs) faster, more affordably, and more easily. Watch the webinar here and read about the key takeaways in the report here.
Supporting the Prioritization of Domestic Resources for New Vaccine Introduction
Six countries came together for a Linked workshop to discuss the effective “how-to” of implementing advocacy strategies which target a range of stakeholders to strengthen political commitment to prioritize sufficient domestic resources for immunisation programmes and the introduction of priority new vaccines. Participants exchanged experiences, common challenges, and effective practices in mobilizing domestic resources and introducing new vaccines; learned strategies, communications approaches and data-driven tools to secure political commitment and prioritize sustainable immunisation financing at national and subnational levels; and developed actionable plans tailored to their contexts for stronger immunisation programmes and successful new vaccine introductions. Learn more about their experiences by examining country posters from the workshop here.
Featured News & Resources
7 things everyone should know about the state of global immunisation
New WHO and UNICEF estimates released in mid-July suggest that lower-income countries are protecting more people against more diseases than ever before – but some children are still missing out. Here are seven key takeaways that paint a picture of where things stand, and where we need to go from here.
Decentralized Immunisation Monitoring: Lessons Learnt from a Pilot Implementation in Kano State, Nigeria
A pilot study in Kano State, Nigeria, used a Decentralized Immunisation Monitoring (DIM) approach to better understand low immunisation uptake. Key barriers included low caregiver education, rural residence, and negative vaccine perceptions. The findings were used to improve routine immunisation programs and reduce the number of zero-dose children. The study highlights the value of decentralized monitoring and community engagement to strengthen routine immunisation and reach ZD children. Review the findings here.
Operational guide for national immunisation technical advisory groups
This operational guide provides key considerations for the setup of a national immunisation technical advisory group (NITAG), information on their internationally established quality standards and guidance for optimal functioning, and recommendations for development and integration into the national policy process. The guidelines can also be used as an advocacy tool for establishing or strengthening NITAGs and increasing key immunisation stakeholders’ and partners’ support. Examine the guidelines here.
Global vaccine confidence trends among adults above and below age 65
Vaccine confidence rose in some parts of the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new global study. The research found that vaccine confidence increased between 2019 and 2022 in several regions – including low- and middle-income countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, where trust in vaccines had previously been in decline. These findings suggest that despite widespread misinformation and political tension during the pandemic, public health efforts and the clear link between the vaccine roll-out and a reduction in COVID-19 cases and deaths may have helped shift perceptions in a positive direction. Read the study findings here.
Vaccine hesitancy: How social and technological issues converged to spawn mistrust
The rise in vaccine-preventable diseases around the world is threatening decades of progress in public health and putting millions of people at risk. This decline in vaccine coverage is often attributed to misinformation and disinformation. This story explores how a complex blend of personal, social, and environmental factors fuels skepticism about vaccines. Read the story here.
The Immunization Agenda 2030 Strategy to reach zero-dose children in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review
Intensified efforts are needed to achieve the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) target to halve the number of children not reached by routine vaccination (‘zero-dose’ (ZD) children) by 2030. This scoping review maps and synthesizes the scientific literature on ZD children in low-income and middle-income countries since the IA2030 launch. The findings underscore the need for transformative approaches that address multiple deprivations using carefully selected, integrated services, tailored to context-specific needs. Discover more insights from the scoping review here.
Reaching zero-dose children: local challenges, global lessons
There isn’t one simple solution for identifying and reaching zero-dose children – local contexts require local solutions. Understanding local nuances is the essential first step. This was the focus of Gavi’s Zero-Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) webinar, “Unlocking Tailored Solutions: Understanding Root Causes and Barriers to Reaching Zero-Dose Children and Missed Communities,” which brought together the Bangladesh and Uganda Learning Hubs and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). This VaccinesWork story summarizes insights from the webinar that illustrate what it will take to close the zero-dose gap within country systems. View the story here.
Rebuilding vaccine confidence in Latin America and the Caribbean: strategies for the post-pandemic era
Vaccine hesitancy in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) has a complex nature. It is shaped by socio-political, cultural, economic factors, and an influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on increasing hesitancy patterns. While LAC has maintained high vaccination coverage, it has experienced a decline over the past 10-years, further exacerbated by declining vaccine confidence during the pandemic, driven by misinformation, political polarization, and conspiracy theories. This paper contextualizes vaccine hesitancy in the LAC region and suggests key strategies and communication tools that may help address this issue and promote behavioral change toward vaccine acceptance in the LAC region. Explore the strategies here.
The Costs of Digital Health Interventions to Improve Immunisation Data in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Multicountry Mixed Methods Study
Digital health interventions, such as electronic immunisation registries (eIRs) and electronic logistic management information systems (eLMIS), have the potential to significantly improve immunisation data management and vaccine logistics in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite their growing adoption, there is limited evidence of the financial and economic costs associated with their implementation compared to traditional paper-based systems. This study aimed to provide additional evidence on the costs of implementing eIR and eLMIS systems in 4 LMICs, Guinea, Honduras, Rwanda, and Tanzania, and to estimate their economic costs as compared to the previous paper-based registries. Uncover the findings here.
HPV vaccination campaigns in Ethiopia and Bangladesh: Strategic implementation, challenges, identifying best practices and lessons for success in low and middle-income countries
Despite the availability of HPV vaccines since 2006, global vaccination coverage has remained low. The situation was significantly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in declines in coverage, delays in the introduction of national vaccine programs, and increased missed vaccinations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the challenges, best practices, and lessons learned in the implementation strategy for HPV vaccination in campaign mode in two countries – Ethiopia and Bangladesh. Examine the findings here.
New tools to equip and empower local actions to improve vaccine uptake
Achieving high uptake of vaccination requires the active involvement of health workers and community representatives. As trusted members of their communities, it is essential to enable their role in building vaccine confidence and delivering quality immunisation services. To support, WHO has released a set of resources that are adaptable, action-oriented and easy to use in various local contexts. The tools are available on the TechNet website here.
Country Spotlights
Viet Nam Achieves Remarkable Progress in Childhood Immunisation
Viet Nam has made remarkable progress in protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases, according to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF estimates of national immunisation coverage (WUENIC) released in mid-July. In 2024, Viet Nam achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. Immunization coverage in Viet Nam has not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed the rates recorded in 2019. Read more about the country’s progress here.
External Events
Watch the recording from webinar on Expanding Reach: Multi-Country Approaches to HPV Vaccination for Out-of-School Girls
Drawing on global experiences and practical insights from 19 countries, this webinar explored five key themes to help shape the future of HPV vaccination efforts globally and featured a dynamic discussion on how programs are reaching girls missed by school-based HPV vaccination efforts. View the webinar recording here.