Conceptualization of the Africa CDC Public Health Risk Communication and Community Engagement Community of Practice for Africa (PH-RCCE-CoPA) in 2020: successes and challenges in implementation

Abstract

Background:

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention established and launched the Public Health Risk Communication and Community Engagement Community of Practice in Africa (PH-RCCE-CoPA) initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020 in collaboration with the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa and developed terms of reference. This initiative aimed to strengthen capacity of Member States and institutionalize Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) for public health emergencies in Africa through the exchange of knowledge and best practices, as well as respond to rumours and misconceptions.

Conclusions:

Establishing the PH-RCCE-CoPA and subsequent training of RCCE focal points in Member States facilitated a coordinated approach to RCCE which helped to reduce rumours and misconceptions and increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence and uptake.