Vaccination Communication Strategies and Uptake in Africa: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Communication

Background:

• African nations face high infectious disease burdens, exacerbated by low vaccination coverage.
• Inadequate vaccination knowledge and communication gaps hinder vaccine uptake.
• Effective communication strategies are vital to address these challenges and improve public health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review vaccination communication strategies employed across African countries.
• To assess the impact of these strategies on vaccine uptake.
• To identify barriers and facilitators influencing vaccination communication and uptake.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of five bibliographic databases (2000-2023) and Google Scholar.
• Inclusion of English-language studies reporting on vaccination communication and uptake in Africa.
• Narrative synthesis of findings from 41 studies across 14 African countries.

Main Results:

• Mass campaigns and health worker capacity building were common strategies, complemented by community-based social mobilization.
• Vaccination uptake increased in all studied countries following communication interventions.
• Identified barriers include lack of information, access issues, and high costs; facilitators include education, reminders, trust-building, and community involvement.

Conclusions:

• Vaccination communication strategies are effective in increasing vaccine uptake in Africa.
• Addressing systemic and individual barriers is crucial for optimizing communication efforts.
• Findings can guide future vaccination communication and campaign planning to enhance coverage.