Healthcare professionals discuss ways to introduce HPV vaccine

On May 10-11, in Astana, organized by the WHO Regional Office in Europe, a National technical meeting (seminar) on the introduction of vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) in Kazakhstan was held with the participation of the Vice Minister of Healthcare - Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Republic of Kazakhstan A. Esmagambetova and the leadership of the Committee. The event was attended by public relations specialists from healthcare organizations, members of the Republican working group on the introduction of the HPV vaccine, specialists from the oncology service, maternal and child healthcare, experts from WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, CDC.

The purpose of the workshop was to develop a Communication Plan for the introduction of the HPV vaccine with a study of the target groups. In this regard, it was important to study crisis communications as part of an overall communications plan.

During the event, the attention of the participants was drawn to the planning of communications work depending on the target groups, the formation of a pool of speakers for outreach work, as well as a pool of lecturers for training medical specialists.

The speakers shared the results of a study of the attitude of the population of Kazakhstan to the HPV vaccine and practical recommendations for improving communication with the population regarding this vaccine. The participants also discussed in detail each action of the communication plan and how to develop it. In addition, experts from neighboring countries (including Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan) shared their experience in introducing HPV vaccination in their country.

The outcome of the event was proposals for a draft communication plan for the introduction of the HPV vaccine, including a description of the target groups and communication methods according to the characteristics of these groups.