COVID-19 Recovery for Routine Immunization Programs Fellowship
About the Fellowship
Launched in May 2022 in response to disruptions caused by COVID-19, the COVID-19 Recovery for Routine Immunization Programs Fellowship — part of WHO’s “Big Catch-Up” initiative — aims to rebuild routine immunization by strengthening the capacity of national and sub-national staff to lead recovery efforts and address missed vaccinations.
For the fellowship, Sabin and WHO created a two-phase learning and engagement model to equip immunization professionals with the tools and support needed to address critical challenges in routine immunization recovery:
- Phase 1 features virtual, expert-led sessions delivered in both English and French which cover key topics such as vaccine acceptance, catch-up strategies, life course immunization, and reducing zero-dose children.
- Phase 2 begins with the selection of a smaller mentorship cohort designed to transform proposals into actionable local projects. Over six months, Fellows received individualized guidance from a diverse group of mentors, participated in monthly meetings, and accessed seed funding to implement their initiatives. This phase emphasized the translation of learning into impactful, locally driven solutions that are tailored to address specific immunization challenges.
By combining targeted training with sustained mentorship and small-scale strategic investments, the Fellowship provides a powerful model for equipping immunization professionals to address complex challenges. Its success underscores the transformative potential of empowering local professionals and communities to create tailored, impactful solutions that advance vaccine equity and close critical immunization gaps.
Fellowship Bright Spots
Click the highlighted countries to view stories from program fellows around the globe.
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Who Are Our Fellows?
Key Highlights from the 2023-2024 Cohort:
Phase 1: Live Session Series & Strategic Proposal Development
Five interactive live (via Zoom) sessions engaged 918 participants, fostering knowledge-building, peer exchange, and the development of strategic proposals for immunization recovery. By the conclusion of Phase 1, 341 proposals were submitted by individuals and small teams for Phase 2.
After attending the series:
99%
of participants reported gains in knowledge and skills.
97%
found the session topics directly relevant to their roles.
98%
described the sessions as engaging and worth sharing with colleagues.
Phase 2: Project Implementation
Fellows selected for Phase 2 implemented projects in 27 countries and achieved significant impact at the local level with average seed funding of $3,190 per project. These efforts vaccinated an estimated 22,000 individuals, including reaching over 10,000 zero-dose children, and administered more than 66,000 doses1.
Strategic Solutions for Impact
Fellowship projects applied community-centered, evidence-driven, collaborative approaches to strengthen routine immunization programs, tailoring local solutions to effectively address complex and context-specific challenges.
Community-Centered Solutions to Identify and Reach Zero-Dose Children
Fellows used a mix of data analysis and direct vaccination efforts to identify and vaccinate zero-dose (ZD) and under-immunized children. Among projects addressing both identification and reach, an impressive 94% of identified ZD children were vaccinated—bridging critical gaps in immunization coverage.
Addressing Gender Barriers to Immunization
Fellows’ projects employed culturally responsive strategies such as deploying female vaccinators, offering flexible scheduling for caregivers, partnering with women’s groups, engaging religious and male leaders, and linking immunization efforts to maternal health services. These approaches helped overcome gender-based barriers and improve vaccine access.
Data-Driven Approaches to Close Immunization Gaps
Fellows leveraged advanced data triangulation and local immunization team expertise to pinpoint immunity gaps. These methods established accurate baselines and informed targeted vaccination efforts in underserved communities, ensuring resources were used effectively.
Collaborative, Integrated, Multi-Sectoral Efforts
Fellows’ projects emphasized integrating immunization efforts across sectors to maximize impact. This included working with schools to deliver vaccines through education systems, ensuring immunization services were consistently offered at every primary health center and healthcare touchpoint, and engaging local leaders to build trust and mobilize communities.
Adapting and Applying Global Tools and Frameworks
By tailoring resources like WHO’s BeSD framework, MOV guidelines, and Catch-up guidelines to local contexts, Fellows advanced their immunization goals while addressing unique community needs. These tools supported evidence-based strategies and scalable solutions.
Fellowship Project Outcomes
From our analysis of action project final reports, we documented:
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Over 22,000 individuals vaccinated and over 66,000 vaccine doses administered.
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More than 7,000 zero-dose children identified.
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Among zero-dose projects that focused on both identification and reach, 94% of identified zero-dose children were ultimately vaccinated, demonstrating significant success in bridging immunization gaps.
The projects undertaken by the Fellows underscore the diverse approaches required to recover and strengthen routine immunization programs following pandemic-related setbacks. Their achievements highlight the importance of comprehensive support for immunization professionals through training, mentorship, and small grants to pilot and test local solutions to immunization challenges, enabling tailored responses to complex, local needs.
Select Fellow Testimonials
We make vaccines more accessible, enable innovation and expand immunization across the globe.