#4 Advocating for the Health Workforce, Systems Investments to Boost and Sustain Immunization with Daren (Paul) Katigbak and Rita Akiki

Community Conversations on Vaccines

Co-hosts Vince Blaser and Francesca Montalto are joined by Daren (Paul) Katigbak, a Women Deliver young leader, nurse, and public health professional in the Philippines, and Rita Akiki, a registered nurse and nursing director at Aboujaoude Hospital in Lebanon. They discuss their views on the status of vaccination efforts in their home countries of Lebanon and the Philippines. its implications, and approaches toward improvement, including addressing the welfare of nurses and other health workers who play important roles in educating the public on vaccines. Paul and Rita consider the investment needed in the health workforce, health systems, and universal health coverage (UHC) to improve and sustain immunization rates as the United Nations prepares to host a high-level meeting on progress toward UHC in 2023. Paul also details his HIV/AIDS advocacy and the significance of immunization in high-risk communities.