Social Norms
Social norms action with informed and engaged societies
Social Norms
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Mekong Immunisation and Vaccination Program - Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos

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Launched in 1999, the Mekong Immunisation and Vaccination Program assists countries in the Mekong region with the introduction, evaluation, and expanded use of new or under-utilised vaccines to protect children against life-threatening infectious diseases. The programme is a collaboration between the Bill and Melinda Gates Children's Vaccine Program (CVP) at PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology in Health) and The Australian International Health Institute (AIHI).
Communication Strategies
Organisers are working in Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Laos to:
  • assist with the GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) process: this includes applications to the Vaccine Fund, development of multiyear immunisation plans, identification of sustainable financing, and monitoring and supervision according to GAVI requirements.
  • develop and strengthen human resource capacity for implementation of expanded immunisation activities through technical assistance and training.
  • undertake operational research that supports new vaccine introduction and increased access to quality immunisation services.
National projects currently running within the Mekong Program include Improving Routine Immunisation Services (IRIS), Vietnam and the Cambodia Hepatitis B and Routine Immunisation Program Support (CHARIPS) project. IRIS and CHARIPS both commenced in 2001. Although their implementation differs greatly, these programmes share the goal of improving child health services, primarily by strengthening the efficiency, efficacy, and safety of existing immunisation programmes. Similar national projects are being planned for other Mekong countries. The primary objectives of these national projects are to:
  • ensure adequate training of immunisation health workers;
  • improve community perceptions of, participation in, and support for immunisation services;
  • strengthen recording, monitoring, and supervision activities for routine immunisation services;
  • identify methods to reduce vaccine wastage;
  • introduce HepB vaccination as a safe and effective birth dose;
  • work with local staff to improve planning, management, and coordination of routine immunisation services and to implement multi-year strategic plans for immunisation; and
  • monitor project implementation and report the outcomes to the international immunisation community.
Development Issues
Immunisation & Vaccines.
Key Points
The countries being addressed by this project are some of the poorest countries in Asia, and have a total population of approximately 150 million.
Sources

Mekong Immunisation and Vaccination Program page on the AIHI site.