The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a call for proposals for the COVID-19 Vaccine: Safety and Immunization Monitoring Challenge.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Challenge Series aims to find several digital solutions that will help ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs) tackle a broad range of challenges as vaccines become available—from vaccine delivery and distribution, to public communication and education, to mobilization and monitoring of healthcare workers and volunteers, as well as safe and efficient administration of COVID-19 vaccines.

Safety and Immunization Monitoring: Achieving herd immunity and disrupting virus transmission rests on the assumption that sufficiently large numbers of people will get vaccinated. When COVID-19 vaccines are made available, it will be important to meet existing public demand for COVID-19 vaccines, as well as increase vaccine demand among those who may be hesitant.

Meeting existing demand will require:

• providing the general population with accurate and timely information about accredited COVID-19 vaccine administration sites;
• setting clear expectations about common side effects following vaccination;
• actively monitoring mild and potentially more serious side effects post-vaccination; and
• sending reminders for the second dose (if needed depending on vaccine type).

Increasing demand for COVID-19 vaccines will additionally require:

• clearly addressing potential concerns related to COVID-19 vaccine safety and hesitancy; and
• educating the public about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination to increase public confidence.

Funding Information

Selected solution for this challenge will have potential funding of USD 50,000 or more for selected pilots in ADB's developing member countries.

Eligibility Criteria

This Challenge is open to the general public. Teams may be composed of between 1-5 persons. The Challenge is also offered to: 

• Individuals
• Startups
• University Students and Faculty
• Research Organizations and Independent Researchers
• Corporate Partners

For more information, visit ADB.