In partnership with the EAC Secretariat and Aga Khan University (AKU), the EAC RCE-VIHSCM successfully concluded a comprehensive 4-day short-course training on Health & Risk Communications: Vaccine Hesitancy delivered by the Aga Khan University’s Graduate School of Media and Communications (GSMC), from 1st to 6th December 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya.
This engaging program brought together 36 trainees from all EAC Partner States, including healthcare professionals from immunization programs, medicines regulatory authorities, health communicators and reporters, equipping them with valuable insights and best practices to enhance vaccine uptake across the region.
Alykhan Peermohamed, Head of Training & Partnerships, AKU-GSMC A trainee (center) poses for a photo with AKU, RCE & MEACA-Kenya officials
Mr. Alykhan Peermohamed, Head of Training and Partnerships at Aga Khan University’s Graduate School of Media and Communications, expressed his appreciation for the full turnout, highlighting the importance of the course. “To have the diverse cultures of the EAC represented in one space is truly remarkable. We encourage you to take this knowledge and apply it in your daily work. Congratulations to all of you,” he stated.
The training focused on improving how health communicators cover health and vaccine-related issues in East Africa. Key topics included the history of vaccine development, from past methods to modern technological advancements, ethical considerations around vaccine trials, challenges faced by reporters in vaccine communication, and the critical role of fact-checking in overcoming vaccine hesitancy. The main goal was to strengthen the uptake vaccines in general and prepare for the successful introduction of new vaccines in response to emerging health threats.
Ms. Nancy Okware, a reporter shares remarks on behalf of the Trainees Participants from different EAC Partner States during the Training
Ms. Nancy Okware, a reporter from the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, spoke on behalf of the training participants. “We are grateful for this capacity-building initiative and would like to thank EAC RCE-VIHCM and Aga Khan University for bringing this training to us instead of us going to them. We have learned so much in this course, especially about things we thought we knew but didn’t,” she remarked.
Dr. Stephen Karengera, Director of the EAC RCE-VIHSCM, thanked the participants for their full engagement and commended the Aga Khan University team for their exceptional delivery of the training. “I’m confident that everyone leaves with new knowledge and will become better advocates for vaccines. As the EAC RCE, we are committed to continuing this important work for the betterment of our communities,” he said.
The EAC RCE-VIHSCM looks forward to strengthening its partnership with Aga Khan University and further enhancing the region’s capacity to combat vaccine hesitancy and improve health outcomes