Table 5 Phase V key findings from CAB members

Videos were helpful in communicating with parent and child caregivers

CAB members shared that when they were attempting to address caregiver concerns, they were most convinced by seeing evidence of others who they trust advocating for vaccination. The religious leaders’ videos were particularly impactful

“Video circulated through WhatsApp has inspired the community members. Our team members motivated and worked together.”

Religious leaders play a very important role in improving vaccination in Mewat

CAB members shared that before the religious leaders became fully involved, the intervention had limited impact. Once they fully engaged with the project through meetings and videos, parent and child caregivers began to be more accepting of vaccination

“The religious leader video has been a very useful aspect of the intervention. During talks, I have shown these videos while communicating about vaccination then [community members] suddenly made a decision [to accept] vaccine[s].”

The community-driven, diverse, approach of the intervention was a useful approach

Members of the CAB felt that the most successful impacts of the intervention were due to the local community-driven approach. Having trusted members of the community helped ensure the success of the intervention

“The pamphlet of the local champion, especially of Covid vaccination, was a dynamic one. The candidate chosen for this is a reputed elderly woman. The community member accepted her face and paid attention to it.”

CAB members felt that community members were more willing to accept vaccines after the implementation of this intervention

Members of the CAB shared that there were improvements in both routine immunization services and COVID-19 vaccination

“Earlier the COVID vaccination and information in Ghasera was zero in all the sessions but now it has risen to 100 or 150 or 200 per session daily. Now Vaccine rumor has diminished. The present vaccination (Covid) trend here has bounced greatly.”

CAB members felt that there is a need to address larger systemic problems in Mewat, which contribute to low vaccine uptake

The CAB felt that progress had been made in terms of vaccination, but many felt that this was not addressing the root of the problem. They felt that further meeting to discuss issues beyond vaccination would work towards improving more broad issues in Mewat, such as limited schooling for girls, and limited discussions of vaccines in India

“Girls over here are less educated (of 4^th – 6^th grade) or uneducated. If we focus on educating these girls then all these situations related to vaccination can be managed.”