This Communication Handbook on Polio Eradication and the Routine Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) aims to provide programme officers with guidelines and a framework to design and implement research-driven communication programmes. It offers a menu of ideas, strategies, and tools (worksheets) from which programme officers can select according to their country-specific reality, in order to accelerate polio eradication.

Although the content of this Handbook emphasises polio eradication and routine EPI, the methodology it proposes can be readily utilised to guide other health communication interventions as well. To study and apply the guidelines in the Handbook, as well as strategies and ideas provided in it can help in initiating, reinforcing, and institutionalising the integration of a sound and research-driven communication approach in a communication programme.

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World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa website accessed on January 22 2009.