The PRECISE Project: Advancing Childhood Immunization
At the 2nd Global Forum on Childhood Pneumonia, governments, partners, and civil society organizations reaffirmed their commitment to reducing child pneumonia deaths, strengthening primary health care, and advancing child survival under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In alignment with these objectives, the PRECISE Project is driving advocacy and capacity building in two focus countries – Guinea and South-Sudan, aiming to:
- Support the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) and rotavirus vaccines.
- Strengthen the capacity of local civil society organizations (CSOs) to overcome challenges associated with vaccine introduction and scaling.
- Increase public awareness and build support for widespread vaccine adoption.
Project Summary
The PRECISE Project adopts a structured approach that includes:
- Landscape Analysis
Conducting a comprehensive analysis of the country context using PESTEL strategies and SWOT analysis, including stakeholder mapping, fiscal space analysis, and the development of investment cases for vaccination. - Capacity Building for CSOs and MDAs
Enhancing the competencies of selected civil society organizations (CSOs) and ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) in evidence-based advocacy, accountability tools (e.g., scorecards), and risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) strategies. This involves mentoring and peer-to-peer coaching to ensure sustainability, as advocacy is a long-term commitment. - CSO Training for Citizen Accountability
Empowering trained CSOs to mentor others within citizen-led accountability mechanisms. These efforts aim to strengthen coordination, counter misinformation, and sustain in-country advocacy and review engagements.
Key Components of the PRECISE Project
- Advocacy
Advocating for high-level budgetary commitments to immunization, with a focus on securing sustainable financing for PCV and rotavirus vaccines. - Accountability
Ensuring that vaccine introduction is a catalyst for broader health and immunization budget improvements. - Demand Generation
Raising political and community awareness in target regions to build momentum for vaccine introduction. - Knowledge Management
Leveraging a NITAG twinning mechanism to facilitate shared experiences and best practices in immunization programs. - Capacity Building
Unifying the efforts of CSOs, including faith-based organizations, civil society networks, youth and women’s groups, and academia, to advocate for equitable vaccine introduction, hold duty-bearers accountable, and stimulate community demand.
Peer Learning and Capacity Building Workshop
In a three-day workshop that held in Abuja, Nigeria, the PRECISE Project brought together executives from Femmes Enfants Jeunes Éducation et Développement Guinée (FEJED), Le Réseau Afrique Jeunesse de Guinée (RAJ-GUI), and IHO Saving Lives in South Sudan. Participants gained insights from Nigeria’s successful introduction of PCV and rotavirus vaccines.
The workshop featured:
- Opening ceremonies with key dignitaries.
- Engaging discussions with stakeholders such as NITAG, UNICEF, Breakthrough ACTION, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
- Success stories and lessons learned from Nigeria’s vaccine introduction journey.
Looking Ahead
With their enhanced advocacy skills, CSOs in Guinea and South Sudan are now better positioned to support their governments in integrating PCV and rotavirus vaccines into national immunization programs. They have also been equipped to effectively utilize social media as a key tool for amplifying their messages. These efforts will ensure that commitments made during the workshop translate into impactful actions.
Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from this transformative initiative as we work together to strengthen childhood immunization and secure healthier futures for children!
Leave a Reply