AEFI Communication: Bangladesh Experience

This 34-slide presentation from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Bangladesh examines Bangladesh's poliomyelitis eradication initiative (PEI) progress with regard to adverse events following immunisation (AEFI).

It begins by outlines Bangladesh's immunisation picture, noting that PEI has succeeded in increasing immunisation coverage from 2% in the mid-1980s to 95% by 2004. Since 2001, there has been no clinically confirmed polio case and no case with isolation of wild poliovirus (WPV). As part of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), there were 12 series of National Immunization Days (NIDs) held between 1995 and August 2004 (the date of this presentation). NID campaigns have included "curtain-raisers", radio and television countdowns, newspaper stories/supplements/features, health minister briefings to the media, media "splashes" and high visibility, and public service announcements (PSAs) featuring motivational messages. Common to all of these communications: little reference to possible adverse reactions.

The presentation next provides an overview of AEFI cases in Bangladesh and the way that different actors (e.g., the Government of Bangladesh (GOB), UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), etc.) have responded to possible or actual AEFI incidents. For example, UNICEF's communication response has included: subtle investigative media work to comprehend the media's reaction/coverage, efforts to counter negative press, close follow-up/scanning/monitoring of media reports, the establishment of a system of reply to media queries, the sharing of press clippings/summaries with field colleagues, translation of local language editorials/reports, personalised briefings with key reporters, identification of trends in media reporting, preparation of Q & A for possible media queries, and media management. As illustrated by several slides in this presentation that feature excerpts from the Bangladesh press, efforts like UNICEF's have been necessary in order to minimise media responses to AEFI such as "when programme designed to save lives ends in death".

As indicated here, the EPI's strategy of dealing with AEFI and communication has succeeded due to a coordinated response by all actors, all taking a proactive role. The presentation concludes by exploring what could have been done better - e.g., strengthen communication to allay fear, if any, and media training on AFP/AEFI and other complications.

For more information, contact:

Arifa S. Sharmin

UNICEF

assharmin@unicef.org