Abstract
The introduction and roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine was one of the most important and complex initiatives undertaken by health sectors world wide. In New Zealand the Education, Training and Clinical Support to the health sector of the immunisation programme was undertaken by the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC). An embedded evaluation was planned from the outset, using a range of scientific approaches to acknowledge the complexity of the COVID-19 immunisation context.
The aim was to act as a rigorous 'critical friend' to the programme: appreciating and recording successes, identifying challenges and opportunities early, and working with stakeholders to generate innovative solutions (Hindsight to Foresight).