Giving Compass' Take:

• Marian W. Wentworth explains the elements of a successful vaccine program rollout that can ensure vaccine use. 

• How can philanthropists support the rollout elements of vaccine programs? 

• read more about the importance of policies supporting vaccination. 

It’s a public health nightmare: 250,000 doses of substandard vaccines for diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus administered to children through a government health program. While China has had scandals over tainted food or drugs before, this recent debacle threatens to destroy already shaky public confidence in the country’s growing pharmaceutical industry.

A well-planned and executed rollout can help countries navigate this potentially perilous process and ensure the success of a vaccine’s uptake. I should know. I was in charge of introducing Gardasil, the vaccine for HPV prevention, into more than 80 countries when I worked for Merck.

It was a complex, years-long task to assess the needs of each market and customize rollouts according to cultural aspects and financing issues. A marketing team in each country worked with local stakeholders to get Gardasil approved, recommended, funded, and used.

  1. Good laws and policies help ensure that enough people get a vaccine to make it effective.
  2. Political and medical leaders must engage the people that the vaccine is intended for.
  3. Strong health systems are needed to ensure access to the new vaccine and to make sure it is safe, effective, and supported by disease detection and vaccine distribution.
  4. Committed leadership is essential for successful rollouts.
  5. Political leaders and health care providers need common, consistent messaging, whether it’s during a press conference, at a debate or in a doctor’s office with a patient.

Read the full article about planing a successful vaccine program rollout by Marian W. Wentworth at Global Health NOW.