tOPV to bOPV SWITCH: WHO Communication Resources

Objective 2 of the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018 (see Related Summaries, below) calls for a transition in the vaccines used to eradicate polio and requires the removal of all oral polio vaccines (OPVs) in the long term. To that end, starting in April 2016, the global polio eradication community is switching from trivalent OPV (tOPV) to bivalent OPV (bOPV), removing the type 2 component (OPV2) from immunisation programmes in an effort to eliminate the rare risks of vaccine-associated paralytic polio (VAPP) and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV). As part of the switch, the World Health Organization (WHO) has decreed that proactive communications must be implemented at country and sub-national levels to ensure that intended audiences are informed about the removal of trivalent OPV from use in campaigns and routine immunisation (RI). Key audiences include policy makers, medical professionals, and health workers. Communication plans should be prepared to address questions and concerns related trivalent OPV, bivalent OPV, and actual or potential adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs).

To that end, in an effort to contribute to a successful OPV switch, the WHO has developed the following core materials, which may be adapted to local contexts as needed. All of these materials, as well as other guidance such as training resources and job aides, may be downloaded from the WHO website. For example:

• A communications planning guide (11 pages in English, Word format - also available in Arabic, French, and Spanish) - This guide is designed to help immunisation practitioners, particularly communication specialists at national and subnational levels, develop and implement communication strategies, plans, and activities for the OPV switch. Given the technical nature of the OPV switch, this document emphasises an evidence- and risk-based communication planning approach in that audiences and communication approaches for OPV switch communications need to be strategically selected and engaged. Based on the risks involved, community- and household-level OPV switch communication is not recommended, although for crisis communication efforts, community leaders and influencers will need to be strategically involved to address rumours and misinformation. Throughout this document, there are references to the IPV Introduction Communications Planning Guide (see Related Summaries, below), so readers are encouraged to keep this within reach.
• Issues management and media kit (12 pages in English, Word format - also available in Arabic, French, and Spanish) - This document is intended to be used as a resource in helping identify an unexpected situation, evaluate its potential impact, and develop an appropriate communications strategy in response as appropriate and necessary. Following an explanation of the purpose of this document, WHO provides a background to OPV cessation, explores questions to be asked about the communications environment (who do we want to reach, with which messages, through which channels, and by which messengers?), outlines communications planning considerations, shares standard procedures for reactive issues management, and offers points to consider when developing key messages. Annexes focus on: examples of situations requiring careful analysis to determine the appropriate response, an example of a reactive communication strategy, sample talking points for the OPV switch, and additional resources.
• Stakeholder engagement guide (3 pages in English, Word format - also available in Arabic and French) - This short guide for in-country communication planning provides national health officials and immunisation stakeholders such as local medical experts and associations, civil society organisations (CSOs), non-governmental organisation (NGO) implementing partners, and other key groups with information designed to boost their awareness and understanding of the switch and enable them to respond to questions from their communities. One table outlines the activities, key messages, and existing tools that can be used to best inform and engage with various intended audiences about the OPV switch.