Communicating with Patients about COVID-19 Vaccination: Training Package

"Health workers (HWs) play a central role in maintaining public trust in vaccination, including addressing concerns of patients..."

In light of the recognition that HWs who are knowledgeable about evidence-based immunisation strategies and best practices are critical to implementing a successful vaccination programme, this training module is designed to equip HWs with knowledge, skills, confidence, and resources to help them in their role to recommend the COVID-19 vaccines. The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe has tailored the package to specific patient positions on vaccination along the continuum of vaccine hesitancy: from acceptors to hesitators to refusers.

The intended audience includes: HWs directly involved in COVID-19 vaccination consultations; clinical and immunisation programme managers; trainers of trainers (ToTs); HW bodies and organisations; and immunisation advocates and champions.

The components of the package provide a structured approach to assist HWs with interpersonal communication during COVID-19 vaccination consultations. The package includes:

• The training module ("Communicating with Patients about COVID-19 Vaccination: Evidence-Based Guidance for Effective Conversations to Promote COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake") guides the user through 6 learning parts focusing on a combination of theory and practical skills-building scenarios. Relevant COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination resources for HWs are provided to support vaccination consultations. The self-paced learning tool, which should take about 3 hours, can be completed independently or facilitated by a ToT. It takes the form of presentation slides.
• The facilitator's guide is intended for training facilitators or ToTs who are conducting the training - either face-to-face or online - at the country level. It provides detailed explanations and resources for all parts of the training module. A pre- and post-training self-reflection survey and post-training evaluation tool are also included. Facilitators can use this guidance document to help them adapt the training content to their local context and facilitate discussion with training participants.
• The job aid is intended for use in vaccination consultation settings. This interpersonal communication tool is designed to support HWs in facilitating structured and collaborative COVID-19 vaccination conversations with patients, aiming to increase vaccine confidence and acceptance.