Event highlights
Strengthening RCCE-IM skills to boost immunization efforts in Kyrgyzstan
The 2-day training programme, "Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management (RCCE-IM) in Immunization" was successfully held in Bishkek on 23–24 December. Organized at the request of the Republican Centre for Immunoprophylaxis, as part of a European Union (EU)-funded project supporting immunization efforts across central Asia, the event brought together 50 immunization workers from across Kyrgyzstan to enhance their ability to combat misinformation, build community trust and strengthen vaccine uptake.
With a sharp rise in vaccine hesitancy and the rapid spread of health misinformation, equipping health workers with RCCE-IM skills has never been more crucial. This interactive training featured role-playing exercises, crisis communication strategies and social mobilization techniques. It empowered participants to respond to real-world challenges, such as addressing vaccine-preventable outbreaks and countering misinformation in their communities.
“This training couldn’t have come at a better time. As health-care professionals, being prepared and able to respond effectively when a vaccine-preventable outbreak happens is not just important – it’s a matter of saving lives,” shared Dr Abdrazakova, a participant and epidemiologist from Ala-Buka district of Jalal-Abad region.
The event’s collaborative approach, practical sessions and focus on actionable outcomes culminated in the development of tailored action plans. These plans will enable participants to apply RCCE-IM strategies in their respective regions, ensuring that Kyrgyzstan’s immunization programmes are better equipped to meet the goals of the European Immunization Agenda 2030.
The training is part of a broader EU-WHO initiative spanning Kyrgyzstan and 4 other central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. This initiative supports health ministries in immunization, supply chain logistics, and capacity-building for health-care professionals, paving the way for more resilient immunization systems across the region.
Event notice
A vital training programme titled “Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management (RCCE-IM) in Immunization” will be held on 23–24 December 2024 at the Orion Hotel Bishkek, Karkyra Hall in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. This initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of immunization workers in Kyrgyzstan to effectively engage communities, counter vaccine hesitancy and promote immunization programmes.
With the rise of misinformation and challenges in vaccine uptake, developing RCCE-IM skills among immunization workers is crucial for building trust, fostering transparency, and ensuring active community participation in vaccination efforts. This training will empower health workers with the tools and strategies needed to address these challenges, emphasizing practical, region-specific solutions.
Participants will benefit from interactive sessions on topics such as advocacy, crisis communication and social mobilization. They will also engage in role-playing exercises and group activities to tackle real-world scenarios, such as countering misinformation and responding to community concerns. The programme concludes with the creation of tailored action plans to apply RCCE-IM strategies in their respective regions.
This training represents an essential step in bolstering Kyrgyzstan’s immunization programmes by equipping health workers with the skills to overcome barriers and promote vaccine confidence.
The event is organized under a project co-funded by the European Union, which is currently being implemented in Kyrgyzstan and 4 other Central Asian republics – Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The project involves supporting the ministries of health with immunization and supply chain logistics, RCCE, and the capacity-building of health-care professionals, paving the way to achieve the goals and targets of the European Immunization Agenda 2030.