About the Immunization Learning Hub
The Learning Hub members aimed to develop and communicate robust, practical evidence on the under‐documented role of local faith communities (LFCs) for community systems strengthening. They drew together diverse materials (after assessment for quality and relevance) – particularly focused on lower and middle income country (LMIC) settings. Although given the lack of materials from LMIC settings, information from higher income settings is included where considered highly relevant.
The Immunization Learning Hub completed it’s work in 2014 led by Dr Jill Olivier.
Jill Olivier, University of Cape Town/IRHAP
What We Know
- History shows a number of intersection points between religion and immunization that extend further back than the recent surge of international interest
- There is a high level of interest in ‘missed populations and closed communities
- Considerations of context and complexity are important – especially working with local faith communities
- Getting to grip with the complex world of religion and vaccine resistance is key
- The need for interdisciplinary and multi‐sectoral and engagement on religion and immunization
- The need for cross‐over interdisciplinary studies and actions
- Working with local theologies is required
- The need for religiously‐competent program staff and health workers
- Engaging religious leaders in genuine social mobilization and advocacy
- Improving communication strategies (interpersonal, local, national and international) with and through LFCs should be considered
- Little evidence on the specific nature and extent of routine immunization services provided by faith‐based health providers
- Further investigation of ‘trust’ at all levels
Key Questions
- What evidence exists on religion and immunization, where is this situated, and how are related issues approached?
- What are the key evidence‐gaps in relation to engagement with local faith communities in relation to immunization?
- Is further joint‐learning useful on this specific issue, and who are the potential partners in such a process?
SPOTLIGHT
Past Hub Events
WHO and Religions for Peace Global Conference on strengthening national responses to health emergencies
2021-11-24
14:00:00
UTC+1
Faith Leadership during COVID-19 in Jerusalem
2021-11-11
13:30:00
Asia/Jerusalem
WHO and Religions for Peace Global Conference on strengthening national responses to health emergencies
2021-11-10
10:00:00
UTC+1
WHO and Religions for Peace Global Conference on strengthening national responses to health emergencies
2021-11-03
10:00:00
UTC+1
WHO and Religions for Peace Global Conference on strengthening national responses to health emergencies
2021-10-21
14:00:00
UTC+2
WHO and Religions for Peace Global Conference on strengthening national responses to health emergencies
2021-10-20
10:00:00
UTC+2
SBCC Summit Marrakesh
2021-09-21
00:00:00
Africa/Casablanca
ICMDA Webinar – Sacred/Secular Dichotomies and Healthcare Mission
2021-02-04
09:00:00
America/New_York
