Global Mapping of Evidence on Vaccination Related Education Through School Based Curriculum
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Background: Educating school children about vaccination as a part of health promotion intervention is one of the strategies to improve vaccination acceptance.The aim of this scoping review is to describe the range of school-based education interventions related to vaccination and particularly about efforts to include such education in school curricula.Methods: This systematic scoping review was conducted based on the methodological framework proposed by Arskey and O'Malley.Searches were performed in four databases from Nov 1, 2004 to Nov 30, 2024.Databases were systematically searched for published articles on school education on vaccination.Two independent authors screened the articles followed by data extraction using MS-Excel tool.Results: Out of total identified 18,706 articles, only six articles met the inclusion criteria.All studies were focused on developed countries and most were experimental studies.Interventions were delivered by teachers or researchers and reported general improvements in vaccine knowledge as well as of vaccine-specific interventions.This review documented the outcomes on a curriculum based on immunity and vaccine related concept in school education.The review also highlights the ad hoc approach of health promotion during the vaccine specific knowledge dissemination in school.Conclusion: Formalizing health education could be a longterm strategy for better public health outcomes which face numerous challenges due to vaccine hesitancy or denial.Structured school curriculum on vaccination is warranted to sustain the knowledge on vaccination and its effect on community.Doi: 10.32481/djph.2025.12.09In 1978, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) focusing on preventing children from vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs).5 Beginning in 1978, India introduced the first national immunization programme, which has made significant strides in ensuring that children and pregnant women are protected against VPDs.The Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) was introduced in 1985 and designed to provide comprehensive vaccination coverage for all children and pregnant women across the country.6 With the introduction of new vaccines such as DPT, Hepatitis B Vaccine, Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib), Polio, Measles-Rubella Vaccine, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, Rotavirus Vaccine, and the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine against vaccine-preventable diseases, mostly across developing countries such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, DPR Korea, Bhutan, Maldives, Timor-Leste and Sri Lanka, and improvements in vaccine coverage, a larger cohort of population has been protected against a wider range of infectious disease, and has eliminated smallpox, polio, maternal and neonatal tetanus, and measles-rubella.7,8 With these advancements, vaccination has the capability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 3.b: "Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines" in alignment with the Immunization Agenda 2030.9,10 Despite these efforts, nearly 14.5 million children globally missed out any vaccination: zero-dose children.11 The global coverage of first dose of a measles vaccine has seen a reduction to 83% in 2023, down from 86% in 2019, DPT-3 coverage stood at 84%, and HPV Vaccine coverage in girls was 27% in 2023.11 Low-to-middle income countries such as India continue to face challenges in reaching the target of "leaving no child behind" and ensuring child immunization coverage of 90% or greater.12 However, recent data from the WHO and Unicef Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC) report reveals a concerning 2% increase in the number of zero-dose children in India, indicating a severe immunity gap within the community.13 Additionally, outbreaks of diseases like measles and diphtheria have been reported in certain regions, highlighting the gaps that persist in immunization coverage.A significant barrier to achieving universal immunization is vaccine hesitancy and avoidance.14 Vaccine refusal, particularly in rural and underserved areas, has become a growing concern.Vaccine hesitancy is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including misinformation, cultural beliefs, and a lack of understanding about vaccine safety and efficacy.15 Learnings from a recent COVID-19 vaccination programme in India which administered 220 vaccine doses during pandemic paved a strengthened way for life course immunization across the globe.16 However, addressing vaccine hesitancy requires continued effort, including understanding the perceptions of vaccine-refusing communities and improving their knowledge about the benefits of immunization.In recent years, various strategies have been implemented to address the challenges of vaccine hesitancy within communities to improve vaccination demand, with a particular focus on health promotion services provided through schools.[17][18][19] Evidence from multiple countries reported the uptake of school-based programs for multiple public health issues such as nutrition education, 20 oral health programs, 21 diet and sugar supplementation, school feeding, and school education.20 School curriculum can also be utilized to instill knowledge of benefits of vaccines through health education, thereby increasing demand of vaccine in the community.With this background, we wanted to summarize the global Doi: 10.32481/djph.2025.12.09 evidence available which utilized the school-based curriculum as a platform for vaccination education among school going children population in an effective way. Methods ObjectiveThe purpose of this review is to examine the various interventions designed to increase the knowledge and awareness of school going children, parents and teachers through school-based curriculum regarding the benefits of vaccination, as well as to summarize the component of the interventions.Additionally, the paper also explored the efforts made to integrate this knowledge into formal educational content, either as part of the curriculum or through teacher training programs.We followed the Arksey and O'Malley's framework, which has been further refined in accordance with Levac, et al. and the Joanna Briggs Institute.22 As per the Arksey and O'Malley's framework, the five stages for conducting a scoping review are:
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7123878765