Survey data on decision-making for childhood vaccination in crisis settings

Persistent identifier

10.17037/DATA.00004292

Description

Children, particularly those who have received no routine vaccinations (zero-dose children), are at high risk of vaccine-preventable diseases in humanitarian crisis settings. However, the decision-making processes underlying vaccine intervention design and delivery in such settings are poorly understood. The study investigated the decision-making practices of organisations involved in childhood vaccination in humanitarian crisis settings globally via an online survey. Individuals involved in the design or delivery of childhood vaccination programmes in humanitarian crisis settings were invited to fill out a self-administered online survey. A total of fourteen responses were received. Respondents were asked about factors influencing intervention design and vaccine delivery; use of technical guidance, specifically the WHO decision-making framework for vaccination in acute humanitarian emergencies (WHO Framework); and practices for reaching zero-dose children.

Data collection methods

Individuals involved in the design or delivery of childhood vaccination programmes in humanitarian crisis settings were invited to fill out a self-administered online survey. Respondents were asked about factors influencing intervention design and vaccine delivery; use of technical guidance, specifically the WHO decision-making framework for vaccination in acute humanitarian emergencies (WHO Framework); and practices for reaching zero-dose children.

Data analysis and preparation

Results: Fourteen responses were received. Large international organisations and UN agencies were overrepresented in the sample. Technical guidance was considered of high importance when designing vaccine interventions. However, the WHO Framework is not available in relevant languages and has not been well-distributed to local and national actors. Awareness of initiatives to reach zero-dose children was high within our sample, though this may not accurately reflect global awareness. Security and resource availability were key barriers to vaccine delivery and reaching zero-dose children. Problems with vaccine access in our sample pertained primarily to issues with the procurement system rather than vaccine cost.

Research conclusions

Conclusions: The WHO Framework should be provided in more languages, and vaccination actors at local and national level should be engaged to improve its practicality and increase awareness of its aims. In order to reach zero-dose children, vaccines must be made available for use in expanded age groups, which is sometimes not currently feasible within the Gavi/UNICEF procurement system. Clarifying this policy would allow relevant organisations to reach more zero-dose children. Additionally, security is a key barrier impeding vaccine delivery, including for zero-dose children. Safe operational space for humanitarian actors in conflict must be maintained and global conflict resolution mechanisms improved.

Geographic regions

No geographic region for the survey

Key dates

List relevant dates in the data lifecycle. E.g. start and end date of data capture, the date when the final version of the data was produced.

• Data collection period: 26 July 2022 – 14 August 2022
• Data collection period (Arabic translation. No further responses): 01 November 2022 - December 31st 2022
• Dataset submitted to repository: 31 July 2024

Population

The survey covered individuals involved in the design or delivery of childhood vaccination programmes in humanitarian crisis settings

Privacy

Participant organisations have been removed from responses.

Ethics

Keywords

Vaccination, Decision making, Humanitarian, Crisis, Conflict

Language of written material

English

Project information

Creators

File description