Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on the Perceived Value of Thermostable Vaccines to Relieve Program Barriers: A Case Study from Côte d’Ivoire
Kahn A-L., Spasenoska D., Ekra KD., Coulibaly SR., Yao K., Kouadio SK., Sar A., Robertson J.
Background: Persistent inequities in access to vaccinations pose challenges for immunization programs worldwide. Innovations facilitating vaccine delivery, such as leveraging vaccine thermostability through a Controlled Temperature Chain (CTC), have emerged as a potential solution to increase coverage in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, reducing dependence on the cold chain and improving vaccine delivery efficiency. However, the added value of thermostable vaccines and their integration into national immunization programs is under-recognized by stakeholders. This consultation aimed to convene key immunization stakeholders in Côte d’Ivoire in order to examine their perceptions regarding the value of vaccine thermostability to address barriers to outreach and equity in immunization programs. Methods: A novel workshop model involving structured group discussions was used to document the viewpoints of national stakeholders representing different areas of the immunization program. They prioritized barriers undermining coverage and equity in their country and explored the potential impact of CTC on the immunization program in the context of thermostable vaccines. The vaccines discussed were for Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus, and Meningitis. Results: The workshop outcomes highlighted the context and vaccine-specific variation of the importance of certain barriers, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies. The barriers considered most likely to be alleviated by vaccine thermostability were under the categories of human resource management, vaccine supply and logistics, and services delivery. The least relevant category of barriers concerned demand generation. Conclusions: The consultation provided valuable insights into stakeholder perspectives, priorities, and conditions for the effective integration of thermostable vaccines, informing future product development and policy decisions to optimize vaccine delivery and address immunization challenges in LMICs.