3rd Global Meeting on Implementing New and Under-utilized Vaccines, 16-18 June 2009
Workgroup 8. Training of health staff and review of the Global Immunization Training Framework
Background
The introduction of new vaccines brings many new issues that require appropriate training of health staff. Safe and effective uptake of new vaccines relies on sound policies communicated clearly to health staff. It is important to explore how to roll out good quality, standardized training to large quantities of health workers and to devise ways to improve the quality and impact of the training given.
In order to ensure good quality training, it will be necessary to:
- clearly identify the critical content of the training, based on the competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) required to safely and effectively administer vaccines;
- use active learning techniques to effect an improvement in skills among adult learners; and
- synchronize training and logistics management to ensure that learners have the necessary commodities and resources needed to carry out the correct practices.
Main Topics of Discussion
- It is important to re-train health workers prior to the introduction of a new vaccine, since there are different implementation issues for each new vaccine or presentation of each new vaccine.
- Specific vaccine presentations need specific training guidance, such as for preservative-free multi-dose vials or multiple injections at the same visit, etc.
- Training should not be conducted long before the introduction of the vaccine.
- The new vaccines training timeline is short, however longer term training strategies also need to be put in place.
- New vaccines introduction should be taken as an opportunity to remedy gaps in routine immunization and thereby increase the likelihood of successful introduction (e.g. dealing with improving overall vaccination timeliness).
- The immunization training framework is a common approach to immunization training for the next five years.
- The cascade training approach may dilute the quality of training, however a good training of trainers and close supervision can ensure that quality is maintained.
- Training and supervision should be viewed jointly as supervisors take over where trainers leave off.
- Alignment of pre-service and in-service training is also important.
Recommendations
- WHO in collaboration with NUVI partners should develop basic training materials on each vaccine presentation in consultation with manufacturers.
- WHO should actively collect and disseminate training materials developed by partners and countries.
- Encourage cross-learning between academia and immunization programme staff.
- Reinforce key training messages using job aids, SMS reminders, peer networks.
- Strengthen local training institutes to provide immunization training.
- NUVI partners to further develop the Global Immunization Training Framework in collaboration with Regional staff.