The World Immunization Week, celebrated every last week of April, provides a platform to highlight the critical role of research in optimizing health outcomes through vaccination. The Medical Research Council MRC)/Uganda Virus research Institute & London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit (MUL) together with the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) are delighted to join the rest of the world to contribute to the collective action needed to protect people from vaccine preventable diseases. This concept note outlines the community engagement activities slated on 23rd April 2024, aimed at empowering individuals and communities to prioritize their health through vaccination. By emphasizing the importance of research in vaccine development, safety, and efficacy, this initiative seeks to enhance public understanding, foster trust, and encourage community engagement in immunization efforts. This interactive and informative event will bring together different stakeholders from the communities to participant in the panel discussions, seminar, and other planned activities throughout the day.
Objectives:
- To raise awareness about the significance of research in improving immunization strategies and public health outcomes.
- To highlight the role of research in addressing emerging infectious diseases and vaccine-preventable illnesses.
- To empower individuals to make informed decisions about vaccination and participate in research initiatives aimed at optimizing health outcomes.
The community engagement activities will be held in Entebbe at the MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit and is intended to provide a platform for active exchange, learning and experience sharing and will consist of:
- A 2-HOUR SCIENTIFIC SEMINAR WITH A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE
Goal: To disseminate knowledge about vaccines in a format that lay communities can understand and utilize practically
Invited participants: CABs and community members from Entebbe, Masaka and Kyamulibwa, select media houses, on-campus scientists and PhD students, all staff (online)
Presenter 1: Professor Pontiano Kaleebu
Topic: The Elusiveness of the HIV Vaccine
Presenter 2: Dr. Josephine Bwogi
Topic: Update on the current Measles outbreak
Location: UVRI Training Room, Entebbe and online
- A 1 HOUR LAB TOUR
Goal: To showcase the Unit science and enable community learning about the technical aspects of vaccine research
Tour guide: Dr. Anne Kapaata
- A 2-HOUR PANEL DISCUSSION:
Theme: ‘The importance of vaccination’
Panelists: Dr. Sheila - National Scientific Perspective
Dr. Annette Kisakye - Global perspective.
CAB Chairpersons from Entebbe, Masaka and Kyamulibwa - Community perspective
Location: UVRI Training Room, Entebbe.
Moderators: Flavia and Vincent
Program
|
TIME |
ACTIVITY |
RESPONSIBLE |
|
9:00 -10:00 |
Arrival and Registration |
Laureen Kahunde |
|
10:00 -10:05 |
Opening seminar |
Chairperson |
|
10:05 -10:35 |
Presenter 1: Why don’t we have an HIV vaccine? |
Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu |
|
10:35-10:50 |
Plenary |
|
|
10:50-11:20 |
Presenter 2: Update on the current Measles outbreak |
Dr. Josephine Bwogi |
|
11:20-11:35 |
Plenary |
|
|
11:40-12:40 |
Lab tour |
Anne Kapaata |
|
12:40-1:40 |
Lunch |
Moses Kizza |
|
1:40-3:40 |
Panel discussion |
Flavia Zalwango and Vincent Basajja |
|
4:00 |
Departure |
All |