Developing standardized competencies to strengthen immunization systems and workforce

Blended Learning Using Peer Mentoring and WhatsApp for Building Capacity of Health Workers for Strengthening Immunization Services in Kenya

“…Standardized immunization competencies for health workers have more recently been established for workforce development. 23 Despite the common practice of classroom-based training, peer training for routine immunization was found to improve skills and practices. 24…”

Improving the quality and use of immunization and surveillance data: Summary report of the Working Group of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization

“…Improving this situation requires a multi-pronged approach — including improved workforce planning, pre-service and in-service training, with regular reinforcement through supportive supervision and effective feedback [73] , [89] , [90] , [91] . Adequate resourcing and dedicated person-time for data-related tasks also need to be taken into consideration [92] , [93] . A global framework of immunization workforce competencies has been developed that may be helpful for this purpose [93] , [94] .…”

“…Adequate resourcing and dedicated person-time for data-related tasks also need to be taken into consideration [92] , [93] . A global framework of immunization workforce competencies has been developed that may be helpful for this purpose [93] , [94] . Some countries such as India [62] and Botswana [95] have dealt with the issue by creating a cadre of health information personnel specifically trained and dedicated to managing and analyzing data; more evaluation of the usefulness and sustainability of this strategy is needed.…”

“…However, findings from a scoping review on pre- and in-service training on immunization data management found that current pre-service training programmes often do not adequately prepare health workers to carry out data-related tasks, nor has most in-service training on data had any major impact in improving the skills and practices of health workers [81] . Governments therefore need to make a dedicated effort to provide effective and continuous competency-based training on the generation and use of health data [92] , [93] , incorporating adult learning theory and based on the data-related responsibilities required at different levels of the health system. Global partners should think strategically about the added value of additional data requests, and prioritize accordingly.…”

“…2 ). Interventions to address issues around data quality and insufficient skills sets, including plans to hire new staff, should be focused on elements of these competency frameworks [93] , [94] .

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