Sabin’s Boost Community at Five: Advancing Immunization Impact Through Connection, Leadership, and Learning

Working in immunization comes with a host of challenges, both universal and unique to each specific community. Connection with colleagues is essential for immunization professionals, and so is reliable training that allows them to face an ever-shifting landscape with confidence and creativity. What’s even better: programming that combines the two through peer-to-peer instruction and mentorship from immunization champions around the world. 

Sabin’s Boost Community, now in its fifth year of operation, continues to offer such training and connection for thousands across the globe. Its 5,250 members — up from 1,180 in 2020 when it launched — hail from nearly 160 countries, with Nigeria, India, Kenya, Ghana, and Pakistan rounding out the top five countries for membership. Boost members work in academia, research, local or national government, ministries of health, nonprofits, and the private sector across the vaccination spectrum — procuring vaccines, monitoring safety, and performing outreach for their various organizations. For all of them, Boost offers a platform to brainstorm with peers, access wide-ranging resources, and share and receive instruction from people who know their challenges firsthand.

For Emmanuel Musa, a health worker in Nigeria, what he has learned on the Boost platform has been instrumental in enhancing immunization efforts and communication in the communities where he works. “This approach has not only improved coverage rates but also fostered greater community engagement and trust in vaccination programs.” 

In addition, Boost’s focus on peer-to-peer learning and interaction provides members with a supportive forum to discuss current challenges and co-create solutions. Whether it’s developing monitoring tools to document the effects of climate change on immunization, learning how to use storytelling to combat vaccine hesitancy, or using small grants to serve their own communities, members share innovative ideas and learn from the successes — and challenges — of their peers around the globe. 

After attending a Boost webinar, Dr. Muhammad Zeeshan Arif followed up with an immunization expert with experience working in Yemen who was featured during the session. “We began discussing my work on the life-course vaccination program in Yemen. [She] offered invaluable guidance on how to engage with local stakeholders, adapt to cultural nuances, and optimize vaccine delivery logistics,” he said. “Her mentorship significantly influenced my approach, enabling me to refine my strategies, build stronger relationships with local partners, and ultimately achieve higher vaccine uptake rates.” 

Tangible Community-Level Support 

In addition to peer-to-peer connections and learning initiatives, the Boost Community also facilitates small grants, fellowships, and other tangible support to on-the-ground researchers in low- and middle-income countries. Fellows in the 2023-2024 cohort of the COVID-19 Recovery for Routine Immunization Programs Fellowship — supported by the Boost Community as part of the World Health Organization’s “Big Catch-Up” initiative — implemented immunization projects in 27 countries with support from peers, mentors, and microgrants. 

These small investments had a big impact — the projects’ efforts vaccinated an estimated 22,000 individuals, including reaching over 10,000 children who had never received a dose of a vaccine. Through these kinds of initiatives, the Boost Community highlights the significant gains that can be achieved by getting funds directly into the hands of local immunization professionals who can quickly and knowledgeably serve the communities they know best. 

All the while, Boost highlights members’ community-centered work to a global audience in the hopes of helping members make new connections and achieve their career goals. Boost members and their work are regularly showcased in blogs and on social media, and members are offered opportunities to host online sessions and trainings with colleagues around the world.  

Get Involved 

Five years in, the Boost Community continues to grow, expand its offerings, and bolster the skillsets of global immunization teams. Learn more about the Boost Community, read stories about members, and, if you are an immunization professional, request to become a member today.