Immunization is a global success story. It has saved millions of lives and prevented disease worldwide and millions more have been spared the permanent disabilities caused by diseases such as polio and the long-term morbidity caused by other diseases such as measles. Despite the compelling evidence of the public health and economic value of vaccines, vaccine hesitancy has become a growing concern globally. By calling into question the safety and efficacy of vaccines, vaccine hesitancy threatens the progress made in combating morbidity and mortality including efforts to introduce COVID-19 vaccines. This paper a) examines key factors that drive limited demand for vaccines and vaccine hesitancy, (b) highlights the role of demand promotion for immunization and of risk communication and community engagement to address those challenges, (c) discusses vaccine demand and hesitancy in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and (d) makes recommendations for public health policy and programming for the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine and beyond.Recommendations include strengthen social listening and digital engagement to address the concerns of caregivers and healthcare professionals, improve the availability and use of social data for evidence-based programming, reinforce public trust in health institutions and service providers, mainstream demand for immunization, strengthen the communication competencies of health service providers, test and apply solutions based on behavioral insights to reinforce demand, engage regularly with local governments and local actors, and strengthen resilience and response capacities for diseases outbreaks and public health emergencies.This study investigated vaccine acceptance of putative COVID-19 vaccines among a national sample of vaccine hesitant parents. Vaccine hesitancy and politicization of vaccine development has led to a pronounced distrust of COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. A total of 1,381 vaccine-hesitant parents participated in this study. Participants indicated a general unwillingness to vaccinate their children (M = 3.55, SD = 2.13) and themselves (M = 3.58, SD = 2.16) when a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available. More educated parents were more likely to plan to vaccinate themselves [F(5, 533) = 9.93, p less then .05] and their children [F(5, 533) = 10.278, p less then .05]. Understanding vaccine hesitant parents offers crucial insights as a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available for the general public and as we wait for a vaccine to be approved for pediatric use.The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has developed and is implementing an agency-wide Digital Communications Strategy. A robust strategy to coordinate digital communications is vital at times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic - and will be needed as part of an effective HHS campaign to motivate individuals who are hesitant to accept coronavirus vaccines. Using science-based principles of systems change, a four-phase approach was developed in alignment with the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (IDEA). Phase I involved announcing a plan for creating and implementing the HHS Digital Communications Strategy, including support for it from the HHS Secretary. Phase II involved gathering information and stakeholder support, with an interview research study as the central component for providing input and encouraging stakeholder engagement. Phase III focused on building the Strategy through an iterative process. Phase IV, which is ongoing, concentrates on implementing the Strategy, measuring the impact of digital communications and supporting the budget required to modernize Federal digital communications approaches to meet the American public's needs. Learnings from the work so far are consistent with those from prior HHS systems change efforts in communications - and are helping to improve the Strategy in real time.COVID-19 has created global challenges that only an effective vaccine, apparently, can lead the citizens of the world back to a sense of normalcy. While safe vaccines were developed, tested and approved at an extraordinary pace, concerns were raised regarding the public's response in accepting the vaccine on the population level. Israel was among the first countries to roll out a massive national campaign for COVID-19 vaccination, positioning Israel as the global lead in vaccine uptake. Priority for vaccination was given to high-risk groups older and middle-age adults, healthcare workers, senior home residents and caregivers, people with chronic conditions, followed by teachers and soldiers. Contributing to the success of the operation thus far has been a systems approach beyond nationwide accessibility building public trust through an integrated and familiar health system, a familiar technology (vaccine), transparency regarding vaccine safety information, culturally appropriate messages in digital and offline media, acknowledging diverse health literacy needs, and active participation and role-modeling by political/religious opinion leaders. Vaccine resistance and hesitancy may be encountered as the campaign progresses, and younger groups targeted. Future considerations include perceived benefits offered to people with vaccination and the role of health/digital literacy in preparedness policies. Ethical issues regarding the rights of those vaccinated, as well as those who have not, are explored.This paper describes the inception and evolution to date of CONVINCE - COVID-19 New Vaccine Information, Communication and Engagement - a rapidly expanding, voluntary global initiative to promote the use of effective public communications and engagement to build vaccine literacy and expedite immunization programs to protect communities against the COVID-19 Pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).In December 2020, the first COVID-19 vaccines were approved. Despite more than 85 million reported cases and 1.8 million known deaths, millions worldwide say they may not accept it. this website This study assesses the associations of age, gender, and level of education with vaccine acceptance, from a random sample of 13,426 participants selected from 19 high-COVID-19 burden countries in June 2020. Based on univariable and multivariable logistic regression, several noteworthy trends emerged women in France, Germany, Russia, and Sweden were significantly more likely to accept a vaccine than men in these countries. Older (≥50) people in Canada, Poland, France, Germany, Sweden, and the UK were significantly more favorably disposed to vaccination than younger respondents, but the reverse trend held in China. Highly educated individuals in Ecuador, France, Germany, India, and the US reported that they will accept a vaccine, but higher education levels were associated with lower vaccination acceptance in Canada, Spain, and the UK.