Investing in communication education- the example of vaccine hesitancy

Abstract

Abstract The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) works on vaccine acceptance by searching for evidence, consulting with key stakeholders (epidemiologists, public health experts, family doctors, non-governmental organisation representatives for Roma, travellers, other under-served population groups), and identifying pilot interventions/ practices. ECDC aims to strengthen workforce capacity on vaccine acceptance by developing a training for trainers. To guide the development of this multi-annual programme ECDC organised an expert meeting in April 2019 focusing on discussing and designing main elements of the training for trainers in vaccine acceptance at the country level. Key conclusions of the meeting include: A range professionals should ideally be trained on how to communicate to increase vaccine acceptance: frontline healthcare professionals, pharmacists, gynaecologists, teachers, politicians, journalists.Investments should be made both in postgraduate professional development of frontline healthcare professionals, as well as in university curricula for medical, nursing and teachers training.Training should include both knowledge around vaccines and immunization, as well as communication skills to discuss about vaccines and motivate immunization. Possibly legal aspects at the country level should be included, too.Vaccine acceptance should be addressed throughout the life course and vaccines.Training should be delivered in a blended format, with face-to-face sessions (especially for skills building) and e-learning (especially for knowledge components).Training should include a common European-level core but be done by local trainers, in the local language and adapted to the local context.Training initiatives should be integrated into a “bigger picture”: sustainability of such an initiative should be taken into account, as well as the most efficient and interventions. Seeking synergies and partnerships are key in ensuring long-term success.