NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Health released a communication strategy on Thursday to support the launch of the Covid-19 vaccine in India that seeks to disseminate accurate and transparent information by alleviating apprehensions and ensuring acceptance.
The 88-page document details information to guide communication activities at the national, state and district levels to allow information about Covid-19 vaccines and the vaccination process to reach all people, in all states of the country.
“The communication strategy supporting the launch of Covid-19 vaccines in India seeks to disseminate timely, accurate and transparent information about the vaccine (s) to alleviate apprehensions about the vaccine, ensure its acceptance and encourage its acceptance,” he said.
According to the document, the strategy aims to manage and mitigate any potential disappointment expressed by unmet demand for the vaccine or “ enthusiasm ” among people and to address the vaccine “ hesitation ” that could arise due to the apprehensions about vaccine safety, efficacy, apart from any other myths and misconceptions.
It also aims to provide information on potential risks and mitigate unwanted crises during introduction and deployment.
“The strategy also seeks to build trust and enable greater trust in the Covid-19 vaccine among all people through the use of transparency in communication, while managing any errors / misinformation and rumors surrounding it,” he said .
The Ministry of Health intends to accomplish this in three ways. First, use social influence or the support of experts and official voices to explain the immunization process (where, how, who, when, date and time); emphasize the safety and efficacy of vaccines and explain the decision to carry out the campaign in a phased manner.
Second, the ministry intends to establish a National Rapid Media Response Cell (NMRRC) in its purview to ensure preparedness through media monitoring and social listening to respond in real time. It will also display public and media discourse through extensive monitoring of print, electronic and digital media.
Third, this will be achieved by engaging community mobilizers and frontline workers to engage with the community at various levels through community consultations, religious leaders and religious gatherings, engaging youth, societal organizations civil society, self-help groups, panchayats and other community organizations. platforms.
The four key areas that will be addressed as part of the interventions under the strategy are: providing information about Covid-19 vaccines, addressing vaccine vacillation, generating excitement for the vaccine, and maintaining and maintaining appropriate Covid behaviors.
In the event of any adverse effect after vaccination (AEFI), the strategy emphasizes supporting mobilizers and health personnel in the management of crisis situations by appealing to the community to remain calm while waiting for a proper diagnosis and prevent aggressive behaviors against health workers.
The 88-page document details information to guide communication activities at the national, state and district levels to allow information about Covid-19 vaccines and the vaccination process to reach all people, in all states of the country.
“The communication strategy supporting the launch of Covid-19 vaccines in India seeks to disseminate timely, accurate and transparent information about the vaccine (s) to alleviate apprehensions about the vaccine, ensure its acceptance and encourage its acceptance,” he said.
According to the document, the strategy aims to manage and mitigate any potential disappointment expressed by unmet demand for the vaccine or “ enthusiasm ” among people and to address the vaccine “ hesitation ” that could arise due to the apprehensions about vaccine safety, efficacy, apart from any other myths and misconceptions.
It also aims to provide information on potential risks and mitigate unwanted crises during introduction and deployment.
“The strategy also seeks to build trust and enable greater trust in the Covid-19 vaccine among all people through the use of transparency in communication, while managing any errors / misinformation and rumors surrounding it,” he said .
The Ministry of Health intends to accomplish this in three ways. First, use social influence or the support of experts and official voices to explain the immunization process (where, how, who, when, date and time); emphasize the safety and efficacy of vaccines and explain the decision to carry out the campaign in a phased manner.
Second, the ministry intends to establish a National Rapid Media Response Cell (NMRRC) in its purview to ensure preparedness through media monitoring and social listening to respond in real time. It will also display public and media discourse through extensive monitoring of print, electronic and digital media.
Third, this will be achieved by engaging community mobilizers and frontline workers to engage with the community at various levels through community consultations, religious leaders and religious gatherings, engaging youth, societal organizations civil society, self-help groups, panchayats and other community organizations. platforms.
The four key areas that will be addressed as part of the interventions under the strategy are: providing information about Covid-19 vaccines, addressing vaccine vacillation, generating excitement for the vaccine, and maintaining and maintaining appropriate Covid behaviors.
In the event of any adverse effect after vaccination (AEFI), the strategy emphasizes supporting mobilizers and health personnel in the management of crisis situations by appealing to the community to remain calm while waiting for a proper diagnosis and prevent aggressive behaviors against health workers.
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