Pneumonia is a leading killer of children in India. Local advocacy efforts are critical to building political will and public support for effective pneumonia control.

From 2007 to 2010, the Hib Initiative, PneumoADIP and AVI-TAC projects partnered with local experts to raise awareness about the burden of child pneumonia. 

The project trained and empowered local experts to advocate for new pneumonia and meningitis vaccine introductions as part of a comprehensive prevention program. This report provides an overview of the project's components, accomplishments, and key lessons learned. 

The initiative began by analyzing the status quo and identifying existing barriers to accelerated pneumonia control. Based on these findings, a training and support program was developed for local advocates. Strategic outreach efforts reached policymakers, pediatricians and health professionals, the community, and the media. 

A small grants program funded state-based outreach efforts in diverse regions across India. The project culminated with substantial media coverage surrounding World Pneumonia Day in November 2009. By building capacity at the local level, the project promoted a credible and sustainable approach to pneumonia advocacy in India. 

This program was funded by the GAVI Alliance and based at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

To request a copy of this report, email ivac@jhsph.edu .