The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at lainiciativadecomunicacion.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Introduction of National HPV Immunisation Program: Sharing Malaysia’s Experience

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Author

Affiliation

Ministry of Health Malaysia

Date
Summary

This PowerPoint slide show describes Malaysia's policy on cervical cancer prevention centred on free human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation to 13 years old Malaysian girls starting in 2010. The programme's operational policy requires parental consent for voluntary immunisation in this school-based programme for students in year 7 and in the clinic-based programme for out-of-school 13 year-old girls.
 
Communication with parents arrives in the form of a leaflet explaining the importance of HPV immunisation and a consent form. Each immunisation is recorded on an immunisation record card.

The Ministry of Health used newspaper advertising to support the implementation of the programme. The presentation shows examples of public letters in newspapers offering contrary views.  Strategies to counter these views include giving the vaccine “halal” status (permission under Islamic law), engaging in risk communication activities, and promoting vaccine safety information through the Ministry of Education.

The lessons learned include: 

  1. "Strong political will and leadership drive
  2. Involvement of stake holders during planning stage
  3. Predict and manage potential risk
  4. Importance of program monitoring at all levels"
Web link
Click here to download the full text of this document in MS PowerPoint format.
Source

United Nations Population Fund website, March 27 2013. Image credit: MERCY Malaysia UNHCR Vaccination Outreach programme