title: Communication Challenges During the Development and Introduction of a New Meningococcal Vaccine in Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A new group A meningococcal conjugate vaccine was developed to eliminate deadly meningitis epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  From the outset of the project, advocacy and communication strategies were developed and adjusted as the project evolved in Europe, Africa, India, and the United States. Communications efforts were evidence-based, and involved partnerships with the media and various stakeholders including African ministries of health, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Gavi, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Médecins Sans Frontières.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The implementation of an integrated communication strategy ensured the active cooperation of stakeholders while providing an organized and defined format for the dissemination of project-related developmental activities and the successful introduction of the vaccine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early in the project, a communications strategy that engaged stakeholders and potential supporters was developed. The strategy was implemented and adapted as the project matured. Linked communication proved to be key to the successful wide-scale introduction of the PsA-TT (MenAfriVac) vaccine in Africa.
authors.affiliation: Meningitis Vaccine Project, PATH, Ferney-Voltaire, France.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berlier
authors.affiliation: Inter-country Support Team for West Africa, World Health Organization, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Rodrigue
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.affiliation: United Nations Children's Fund, West and Central Africa Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shadid
authors.affiliation: Burness Communications, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Coimbra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sirica
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Capacity Building.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brunier
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Hayatee
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.affiliation: Meningitis Vaccine Project, PATH, Ferney-Voltaire, France.
authors.forename: Enricke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bouma
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007194:India; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007391:International Cooperation; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014481:United States; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: C573970:MenAfriVac; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines
keywords: advocacy and communication; crisis communication; meningitis belt; messaging; vaccine introduction