189210 Progress towards rubella elimination in the Americas

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 2:50 PM

Carlos Castillo-Solórzano, MD , Fch-Im/paho, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, D.C., DC
Jon K. Andrus, MD , Fch-Im/paho, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, D.C., DC
Pamela Bravo Alcántara , Immunization Unit, The Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC
Christina Marsigli, MPH , Family and Community Health/Immunization Unit, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC
Carolina Danovaro, MD, MPH , Fch-Im/paho, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, D.C., DC
Ana Maria Bispo, MD , Fch-Im/paho, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, D.C., DC
Susan Reef, MD , Global Immunization Division, CDC, Atlanta, GA
Stephen L. Cochi, MD, MPH , Global Immunization Division, CDC, Atlanta, GA
Cuauhtemoc Ruiz Matus, MD , Fch-Im/paho, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, D.C., DC
     
Background:

The Americas have spearheaded the eradication and elimination of smallpox, polio, measles, and rubella and sustained efforts to eliminate neonatal tetanus as a public health problem. Based on disease characteristics and available technology, different strategies were applied to reach regional goals. The impact of novel social communication approaches was evaluated within the framework of eradication and elimination.

Methods:

An analysis of regional experience in eradication and elimination of vaccine-preventable diseases was conducted, focusing on the evolution of social communication strategies.

Results:

Social communication evolved over time, from an individualized approach to one that fosters community involvement and changes in the social environment. During the smallpox era, communication messages were informational and targeted individuals. As the region progressed from polio eradication to neonatal tetanus elimination, communication strategies transformed to engage social actors from the national to community level. Communication efforts ensured that measles and rubella elimination target populations were reached through tailored messages which capitalized on existing technology. Ultimately, these evolving strategies have promoted vaccination as a public good, leading to a culture of prevention.

Discussion:

The evolution of social communication in the Americas has successfully harnessed the trust of the population in immunization and lead to sustained demand for vaccination services for the child and family. Given the increasing credibility of the EPI, the region has successfully engaged a wide range of partners to sustain eradication and elimination programs. The combination of political commitment, community support and expanded partner involvement has provided an enabling environment to strengthen EPI capacity.

Learning Objectives:
1. Demonstrate how social communication strategies associated with eradication and elimination programs have evolved and transformed over time 2. Recognize the impact of social communication efforts in building the capacity of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) 3. Identify how innovative social communication strategies have build trust in immunization programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Regional Advisor with the Immunization Unit at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Global Immunization
See more of: Epidemiology