Standing up together for a successful roll-out of the vaccine in Malawi

Introduction

Civil society organisations in Malawi have been instrumental in the successful roll-out of the HPV vaccine. This case study highlights how CSOs have served as effective advocates with the government to facilitate policy strategy formulation and vaccine distribution.

Background

Malawi has the second highest mortality rate related to cervical cancer in the world, with 51.5 deaths per 100,000 people per year—seven times the global rate. The need for prevention therefore remains a top priority to reduce the cancer burden for women in the country. The HPV vaccine is essential for preventing cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women. In Malawi, despite the vaccine's importance, its roll-out faced challenges such as lack of awareness, resistance from communities, and logistical issues. The government was struggling to achieve widespread vaccination coverage.

Actions

CSOs, including health-focused NGOs, stepped in to fill the gap. Leveraging grassroots connections and expertise in health advocacy, they undertook a multi-pronged approach. CSOs actively participated in policy dialogues and leveraged data to influence government strategies on HPV vaccination. Members of the Women Coalition Against Cancer (WOCACA) also provided technical input in the planning and implementation stages, including cold chain management and vaccine storage solutions. Community mobilisation was key and the organisation also conducted awareness programs, dispelling myths and educating communities about the benefits of HPV vaccination. After the vaccine programme was initiated, CSOs were actively involved in monitoring the vaccine distribution and providing real-time feedback to improve the process.

Results

The involvement of CSOs was essential for the success of the vaccination programme. Overall, there has been increased coverage in the country and improved community acceptance and logistical operations have enabled wider vaccine distribution. The government utilised CSOs' feedback for more informed decision-making, resulting in a more effective vaccination programme. Finally, there has been better stakeholder collaboration and active participation has fostered a multi-stakeholder approach crucial for the programme's success.

Conclusion

The Malawi experience underscores the vital role that CSOs can play in public health interventions. By acting as a bridge between the government and communities, CSOs can significantly contribute to the successful roll-out of essential health services like HPV vaccination. Key lessons include the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement, data-driven advocacy, and community mobilisation for achieving public health goals.