Learning objectives

Scholars who successfully complete the course are expected to be able to:

1. Describe IA2030’s seven strategic priorities and four core principles
2. Identify strategic priorities and focus areas that are likely to transform your national immunization programme and the work of global partners;
3. Define the problem and prioritize recommendations to select a suggested action that could have the greatest impact on the current state in your country;
4. Identify best practices in the suggested action through literature review and dialogue with your peers;
5. Explore innovative ways to implement strategic priorities in your country context;
6. Compare and share best practices with practitioners from all over the world, drawing on global expertise from WHO.

Resources and prerequisites

• Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030): Participants should download and familiarize themselves with Immunization Agenda 2030.
• Access to EPI data: For the country(ies) you support, you will be expected to have access to routine administrative coverage data, assessment reports for programme reviews, specialized assessments such as PIEs (Post-Introduction Evaluation), EVMs (Effective Vaccine Management) assessments and HW KAPs (Health Worker Knowledge Attitudes and Practices).

Workload

Participants should expect to:

• dedicate at least 6-8 hours per week to course work.
• participate remotely in the weekly, 60-minute group discussion that will take place online once a week. (Recordings of these sessions will be made available for those who are unable to attend for valid reasons.)

Each set of course activities must be completed within a given week. Participants may schedule their work at any time during the week, except for the weekly group session which is scheduled at a fixed day and time each week. (Those unable to attend for a legitimate reason will be asked to view the session recording to complete a catch-up task.)

In addition to these required activities, live events on specific topics of IA2030 will be organized.

Technical requirements

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they are able to meet the following requirements.

• Information technology: You will need to access web-based digital platforms, watch or download videos, download and upload documents, and use Zoom for live sessions. Participants need to have access to a reliable Internet connection and a standards-based browser less than two years old (Firefox, Safari, or Chrome). Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge users will be asked to use a standards-based browser for the course. Mobile-only users will need to use Mobile Chrome in desktop mode when working on their course projects.
• Internet access: Specific guidance will be provided to those who have bandwidth limitations, intermittent access, or may suffer from disruption of their connection to the Internet.
• Language: The course is being offered twice, once in French and once in English. Participants are encouraged to schedule extra time if they are not fully proficient writing in the course language.

What is the challenge?

Immunization is one of the best health investments money can buy.

• Yet despite tremendous progress, far too many people around the world – including nearly 20 million infants each year – have insufficient access to vaccines.
• In some countries, progress has stalled or even reversed, and there is a real risk that complacency will undermine past achievements.

How is the global community responding?

To address these challenges over the next decade, a new global vision and strategy titled ‘Immunization Agenda 2030: A Global Strategy to Leave No One Behind (IA2030)’ has been endorsed by the World Health Assembly.

IA2030 requires broad ownership by all immunization and non-immunization stakeholders, including both health system strengthening and disease-specific initiatives. While WHO was asked to lead the development of IA2030, all stakeholders co-created, co-developed and now co-own it.