Mind the gap: developing competence in vaccination

Abstract Background The ASPHER Public Health Emergencies Task Force established the Vaccination subgroup to identify and develop resources to improve education and training in the design and delivery of planned and emergency vaccination programmes in the face of declining rates of vaccination coverage and inequalities in uptake and the spread of disinformation. These are the preliminary findings from the work to date. Results We identified significant variation in the design and delivery of vaccination programmes across ASPHER members and countries along with significant gaps between programme design, community engagement and implementation of the existing evidence base. There was also variation in the opportunity for early career professionals to develop the skills in evidence synthesis, advocacy and creating a case for change. Case studies related to organisational vaccine hesitancy, vaccination in pregnancy, addressing disinformation, responsive vaccination and developing the life course approach to vaccination will be presented. These cases have facilitated individual development and evidence linked into wider programmes of action. The programme also identified development needs for senior professionals to improve approaches to working beyond hierarchy, cross-cultural and cross generational working. Conclusions The programme has built skills and addressed gaps in evidence synthesis, skill development and advocacy and fed learning into the development of the Public Health Core Curriculum. It now needs to focus on developing infrastructure and sustainability. Key messages • Committee work programmes can be a tool for learning and development across the workforce. • This programme offers a model for addressing gaps in public health evidence and practice.