Operational guidance:
Management structure,
advocacy and resources for COVID-19 vaccine deploy- ment and vaccination
This document is part of a series of operational guidance modules developed to support WHO Member States in the European Region in preparing for and implementing COVID-19 vaccination. The modules were developed by a working group convened by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and consisting of experts from WHO, partner agen- cies, academia, Member States and other stakeholders.
JANUARY 2021
CONTENT
Objective 1
Rationale 1
Key actions 1
Resources 3
Document number: WHO/EURO:2021-1835-41586-56785
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1
Objective
Having a fit-for-purpose “governance structure” at both policy and operational levels is critical to achieve the objectives set out in the national COVID-19 vaccine deployment and vaccination plan. This structure envisions to provide the platform to ensure collaboration with stakeholders and include fostering partnership. A defined and effective managerial framework and mechanism must be in place to:
• provide guidance to preparation, implementation and monitoring of the national CO- VID-19 vaccine deployment and vaccination plan through intersectoral collaboration and partnerships with relevant governmental and non-governmental entities.
• ensure the required political commitment and mobilization of adequate resources.
Rationale
Development and implementation of the national COVID-19 vaccine deployment and vac- cination plan (NDVP) requires a “fit-for-purpose governance structure” that ensures inter- sectoral collaboration and partnership with relevant governmental and non-governmental entities to provide high-level policy direction. This governance structure will play a critical role in obtaining the required political support and mobilizing adequate resources. It is essential that structures and persons responsible for managing NDVP understands their roles and responsibilities within this governance structure.
Key actions
1. Establish fit-for-purpose governance structures (both at policy and
operational levels) aligned with the national COVID-19 preparedness and response structures
In order to establish and sustain the ability of countries to define and achieve the objectives of COVID-19 vaccine deployment and vaccination, a governance framework needs to be defined. This framework will ensure efficient planning, implementation and monitoring of the national COVID-19 vaccine deployment plan. Such framework should imbibe structures covering both strategic and operational aspects of the programme. Outlining key functions of the governance structure at policy level will make it operational and will enable efficient functioning (for terms of reference refer to global guidance documents).
Box 1: Tips on establishing National Coordination Committee (NCC) - governance structure at policy level
• Align with structures of the national COVID-19 preparedness and response structures.
• Adapt existing national coordination structures, if applicable (e.g., Inter-agency Coordinating Committee – ICC or equivalent mechanisms).
• Establish coordination platform to engage all stakeholders – senior level fun- ctionaries as possible, to trigger action. Include representatives of relevant government structures, ministries, including National Regulatory Authority, chair of NITAG, representatives of partner agencies, non-governmental agencies, civil society organizations and private sectors.
• Avoid overlapping responsibilities with the existing structures. Make sure that main function is to coordinate and oversee preparedness and imple- mentation of NDVP.
• Include advocacy and resource mobilization as key functions.
2
Assigning staff (or offices or technical working groups) to identified key functions will enable management of planning, implementation and monitoring of COVID-19 vaccine deployment and vaccination at operational level. Below box provides list of key functi- ons to be considered in the national context. Similar assignments should also be made at sub-national levels. A designated staff may cover more than one key function at sub-national level.
Box 2: Key functions for consideration in assigning staff to manage planning, implementation and monitoring of COVID-19 vaccine deployment and vaccination at operational level
• Vaccination
• Logistics
• Public communication
• Demand generation, community engagement and communication
• Vaccine safety (monitoring AEFIs and AESIs; causality assessment committee)
• Vaccine regulations (market authorization)
• Vaccination data and information management
• Human resource and security - training
2. Plan and conduct advocacy acitivities to ensure political commitment for COVID-19 vaccine deployment and vaccination
It is critical that through established governance structures, planned advocacy activities are carried with full transparency and to increase public trust both on pandemic management and vaccination plans.
Box 3: Sample talking points on COVID-19 vaccination advocacy
• COVID-19 is a threat to global health security (refer to confirmed COVID-19 cases and related deaths in your country and globally).
• No one is safe, unless everyone is safe – pandemic must be tackled through global solidarity
• Global economic losses in 2020 is expected to be US$ 7 trillion (US$ 373 billion lost to the global economy each month) according to International Monetary Fund (IMF). Another estimate from IMF, World Bank and World Tra- de Organization: US$ 12 trillion of revenue losses to global trade, where total investment case is around US$31 billion to respond to the pandemic.
• Effective COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics and public health mea- sures are all vital to end the pandemic and accelerate global recovery.
• Our country is a participant to COVAX Facility and has expressed its commit- ment. COVAX enables participating countries to have early access to a portfolio of safe and effective vaccines.
• COVAX will allow access to safe and effective vaccines.
• WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) has set a Values Framework and a Roadmap for Prioritizing Population for Vaccines against COVID-19. Vac- cine-specific recommendations are expected as safety and efficacy data be-
3
Box 4: Tips on structuring resource mobilization process and efforts
• Define funding needs
• Identify stakeholders (decision-makers and influencers)
• Understand stakeholders (their standpoint, motivators and barriers)
• Justify investment (return on investment) in advocacy messages
• Implement and monitor resource mobilization plan activities
3. Plan and conduct resource mobilization activities to ensure adequate funding of COVID-19 vaccine deployment and vaccination
Resource mobilization will be essential to attain the objectives and goals outlined in the NDVP. The governance structure at policy level should conduct efficient resource mobilizati- on efforts. The support from the staff responsible for managing key programmatic functions will be vital to identify the required resources. This resource mobilization efforts will require structured and targeted advocacy with relevant departments in the ministries of health and other departments/ministries. For further guidance, refer to the immunization advocacy document listed among below key references.
come available. The national objectives for prioritization of population groups are outlined to allow maintenance of most critical essential services, reduction of mortality and morbidity, reduction in transmission to further reduce disrupti- on of social and economic functions.
4
Resources
1. Strategic considerations in preparing for deployment of COVID-19 vaccine and vaccinati- on in the WHO European Region, 9 October 2020;
https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/vaccines-and- immunization/publications/strategic-considerations-in-preparing-for-deployment- of-covid-19-vaccine-and-vaccination-in-the-who-european-region,-9-october-2020- produced-by-whoeurope
2. COVID-19 vaccine introduction readiness assessment tool; WHO;
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Vaccine-introduction-RA- Tool-2020.1
3. COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, WHO;
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/monitoring-and-evaluation-framework 4. Guidance on development and implementation of a national deployment and
vaccination plan for pandemic influenza vaccines, WHO, 2012;
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/75246
5. Guidance on developing a national deployment and vaccination plan for COVID-19 vaccines, WHO;
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Vaccine_deployment-2020.1 6. Workbook – Advocacy for sustainable funding of immunization programmes;
Immunization advocacy library, WHO Regional Office for Europe,
https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/vaccines-and-immuniza- tion/publications/2015/workbook-advocacy-for-sustainable-funding-of-immunization-pro- grammes
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