Introducing Essential Resource Collection: INTEGRATING COVID-19 VACCINATION INTO PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Knowledge SUCCESS and the USAID COVID-19 Response Team collaborated on this fourth and final COVID-19 vaccination–focused Essential Resource Collection. This collection includes a list of tools that will help programs integrate COVID-19 vaccination into primary health care (PHC). 

Why We Created This Collection  

Given the evolving epidemiological nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, government priorities have had to adapt to changing population needs. At first, national governments mobilized to launch rigorous mass vaccination campaigns in phased approaches. Now, as the virus becomes less of a daily threat and strain on health systems, the focus shifts to activities that integrate COVID-19 vaccination into life course vaccination programs and other PHC services and routine immunization plans.

Governments, donors, and program implementers are building on lessons learned from COVID-19 to foster resilient health systems that can accommodate new vaccines and withstand future pandemics. USAID and the WHO have shared guidance to assist countries with this integration process, including examples of how to integrate COVID-19 vaccination activities into standard primary health care services. This Collection serves to organize this guidance and related tools such as checklists, frameworks, and case studies that can help countries integrate COVID-19 vaccination into PHC.  

How We Chose the Resources 

Knowledge SUCCESS and USAID identified COVID-19 vaccination integration as a priority topic early in the implementation of the Knowledge SUCCESS COVID-19 KM scope of work. In alignment with this priority and other related activities—such as the development of a supplement on the same topic for the Global Health Science and Practice (GHSP) Journal, coming in December 2023—Knowledge SUCCESS began collecting integration-related resources as early as January 2023 and organizing them based on the WHO health system building blocks.  The guidance from the WHO and corresponding building blocks (pictured below) provide a useful framework for countries considering how to link COVID-19 vaccination, immunization programs, and the broader health system. 

What is Included in This Collection?

Resources in this collection are available in a diversity of formats, such as journal articles, case studies, PowerPoint presentations, digital tools, checklists, and more. The resources that can be categorized by specific building block are marked accordingly, but many cut across multiple building blocks. All resources are meant to reflect the changing context of various country vaccination experiences, including as longer-term policies for COVID-19 vaccination are formulated. These resources are not meant to outline a prescriptive approach, but rather to present considerations and options for countries to consider and apply based on their needs and contexts. 

We hope this Collection directs governments, program implementers, and other stakeholders to key guidance tools, as well as more informal examples of integration that may resonate in their own country contexts. An orientation around the seven health systems building blocks provides a holistic, health system-wide framework for the integration of COVID-19 vaccination into PHC. The lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, when integrated into primary health care, will lead to more resilient health systems that are better prepared for future health emergencies.