New ways to learn and lead HPV vaccination: Indian Society for Adult Immunization (ISAI)

Global health initiative reveals new insights on HPV vaccination through peer learning Learn more: https://www.learning.foundation/teachtoreach A new approach to implementing HPV vaccination programs is yielding unexpected insights by connecting thousands of health workers across the globe to share their frontline experiences. The Geneva Learning Foundation's "Teach to Reach" initiative has engaged over 16,000 health professionals to address implementation challenges in HPV vaccination programs. "Evidence suggests that challenges in implementing and sustaining HPV vaccination in developing countries are significantly influenced by gaps between planning at national level and execution at local levels," says Rydda Sattky, Executive Director of the Geneva Learning Foundation. Bridging the implementation gap The initiative takes a different approach from traditional expert committees. Instead of relying solely on high-level expertise, it creates structured opportunities for health workers to share their direct experiences implementing HPV vaccination programs. Through a five-step process, the program collects and analyzes experiences from frontline health workers, deepens understanding through case studies, and connects these insights to national-level planning. The approach has revealed several unexpected findings. In some regions, tribal communities showed less vaccine hesitancy than urban populations. Teachers emerged as more influential than health workers in certain contexts, and personal stories proved more persuasive than statistical evidence. "Success often proved independent of resource levels," notes Sattky, highlighting how informal networks and bottom-up strategies frequently outperformed more traditional approaches. Practical solutions from the field The initiative has documented numerous successful strategies emerging from local implementation: - Using cancer survivors as advocates - Creating WhatsApp groups for community health workers - Engaging school children as messengers to families - Integrating with existing women's groups - Leveraging religious texts - Using community theater for health communication In January 2024, the program expanded to include national immunization program managers from 31 countries, creating direct connections between national planning and local implementation experiences. Building sustainable programs The findings point to several key factors for successful HPV vaccination programs. Multi-stakeholder engagement, sustained communication rather than one-time campaigns, and strong school system partnerships emerged as critical elements. The research also highlighted the importance of male community leaders as vaccination advocates, despite the program's focus on adolescent girls. "Uniquely, Teach to Reach provides a way to link health professionals together so that they can share experiences about what works," said Dr. Kate O'Brien and Ephraim T. Lomango from WHO and UNICEF, who lead immunization efforts globally. The initiative includes participation from both government and civil society organizations, with many participants working in challenging contexts such as remote rural areas, supporting nomadic populations, or facing armed conflict. Measuring impact The program has demonstrated measurable effects on participating health workers, showing: - 45% stronger change in worldview - 49% higher professional influence - 41% greater impact on professional practice These results suggest that peer learning networks can serve as valuable complements to traditional expert-led approaches in global health initiatives. Looking ahead The Geneva Learning Foundation continues to develop this approach, emphasizing continuous learning and improvement cycles. The initiative demonstrates how connecting frontline experiences to national policy can strengthen health systems and improve vaccination program outcomes. The work forms part of broader efforts to achieve the goals of Immunization Agenda 2030, which aims to ensure all people benefit from recommended immunizations throughout their lives.