Insights from COVID-19 vaccine introduction in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Cameroon

In our first Insights LIVE, Dr Calvin Tonga shares key learning and insights from the first inter-country peer learning exchange between Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). At the request of national EPI authorities, the DRC team hosted colleagues from Cameroon in two sessions to share experience of COVID-19 vaccine introduction, with participants from all levels of the health system contributing. The Geneva Learning Foundation was honored to support the inter-country peer learning exchange organized through the leadership of Dr. Franck Monga, COVID-19 Scholar Peer Hub Team Leader for DRC, and Dr. Calvin Tonga, COVID-19 Team Leader for Cameroon. Almost 1,000 Alumni of the Foundation’s COVID-19 Peer Hub joined this peer learning exchange. Read more about the Geneva Learning Foundation’s unique approach Disseminating rapid learning about COVID-19 vaccine introduction https://redasadki.me/2021/03/28/disseminating-rapid-learning-about-covid-19-vaccine- View the first session of this inter-country peer learning exchange (in French) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzOL3s8MBdI View the full Insights Live #1 Event https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZi93hF69ls LEARN MORE ABOUT TGLF INSIGHTS We need fresh insights to support those leading change in districts, health facilities, and communities. As a global community, we recognize the significance of local action to achieve the global goals. “The lessons and learning are coming from people who are working in the community. That is where vaccination actually happens. We need to be focusing on the most local level of the immunization programme.” – Kate O'Brien, Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals (IVB), World Health Organization (WHO) WHY IS THE GENEVA LEARNING FOUNDATION SHARING INSIGHTS? The Geneva Learning Foundation (TGLF) hosts the largest and fastest-growing community of national and sub-national immunization professionals, with over 40,000 active participants from over 120 countries, as of May 2021. 80% of members are sub-national immunization staff, with strong support and linkage to national teams. We realized that the valuable multi-country knowledge shared in our programmes should be regularly given back to the community, and that it could also inform our partners in identifying real-time priorities and opportunities and formulating strategies. The Insights Unit is the Foundation’s research and analysis group. We systematically consolidate and communicate the contributions of learners in the Foundation’s programmes to share back to participants, governments, civil society and development partners. To synthesize and spread insights, we work in partnership with Bridges to Development, the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and other partners. Learn more about TGLF Insights https://www.learning.foundation/insights