With COVID-19 dramatically altering vaccine decision making globally, the world is faced with new challenges on how to maintain routine vaccine coverage and plan the rapid deployment of a coming COVID-19 vaccine. To address questions associated with these emerging challenges, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA and IIHMR University, Jaipur has designed two new online courses for vaccine policy makers and programme managers.

The online programmes are aimed at educating policymakers and programme managers on using the tools of economics to optimise vaccine coverage during the challenges of COVID-19.

“Evidence on evaluating infectious disease and the economic impact of vaccination is critical in informing national decision-makers on the allocation of limited resources and in prioritising interventions in the health sector. COVID-19 has thrown up new challenges for managing existing immunisation programmes as well as preparing for the rapid deployment of the upcoming COVID vaccine. Our online courses aimed at helping immunisation managers optimise vaccine delivery in this challenging time,” said Prof PR Sodani, President (officiating), IIHMR University, Jaipur,  India Programme Lead.

The online programme received an overwhelming response, attracting 400 applications out of which 230 participants from the field of immunisation and vaccine delivery have been shortlisted to attend the programme. The participants are from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Somalia.

From India, 53 participants have been selected to attend the programme.

Most of the participants are working on positions like Director, Deputy Director, Consultant, Technical Advisor, Medical officer, Project coordinator, Programme manager, and officer working in the field of immunisation and vaccine delivery. The participants are working in organisations like the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, State ministries, WHO, UNDP, UNICEF, Tata Trusts, Clinton Health Access Initiative and IIT Kharagpur. 

The programme commenced on October 17, and will continue till December 13, 2020.