The Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ohio State Global One Health initiative (GOHi) and other partners, organized the first Expanded Program on Immunization Research workshop in Ethiopia, March 16-17. The objective of the workshop was to share information about different research evidence related to immunization programs, and collect evidence for the effective implementation of programs, strategies and policies.
Meseret Zelalem, lead executive officer for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health at the Federal Ministry of Health underscored the importance of evidence-based decision making as a very key tool to improve Ethiopia’s immunization program, in her opening remarks. Over 130 professionals from the Ministry of Health, regional health bureaus, and local and international NGOs attended the two-day workshop. Twenty-four research results were presented by researchers and key partner organizations.
GOHi representatives also shared two preliminary research findings on "Community perception and hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccine in selected Ethiopian cities: A qualitative research" and "Measles Five Dose Study - Assessing the Effect of a Smaller and Enforced Open Vial Policy, and Healthcare Worker Training on Missed Opportunities for Measles Vaccination." These studies were funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.