Community-Based Approaches to Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Demand: Lessons Learned from Four UNICEF-Supported Interventions

Vaccination is critical to minimize serious illness and death from COVID-19. Yet uptake of COVID-19 vaccines remains highly variable, particularly among marginalized communities. This article shares lessons learned four UNICEF interventions that supported Governments generate acceptance demand for in Zambia, Iraq, Ghana, India. In community rapid assessment provided invaluable real-time insights around vaccination allowed the identification population segments share beliefs motivations regarding vaccination. Findings were subsequently used develop recommendations tailored different personas. a new outreach approach (3iS: Intensification Integrated Immunization) utilized direct engagement deliver health messages encourage service uptake, resulting over 4.4 million doses routine immunization delivered just 8 months. human-centered design initiative was applied co-develop community-informed strategies improve rates. India, risk communication reached half people six months, translating into 25% increase These shared approaches can be leveraged coverage close gaps across diverse