Plan for a Crisis with Characteristics Displaying a low Chance of Occurrence - Management Assignment Help

Assignment Task:

Task:

Introduction:
Organisations may fail to plan for a crisis with characteristics displaying a low chance of occurrence. These organizations risk seriously detrimental effects, should a ‘trigger event’ occur. An incident that occurred as a result of a failure in planning and created reputational damage for the government in power was the measles outbreak in Samoa in 2019. In response to this health emergency faced by Samoa a risk communication plan is developed, including; a message map and a justification outlining appropriate communication channels aimed at addressing the prevention of measles in order to prevent a future crisis.
Response to the Public Health Emergency:
Overview:
The Human Rights Protection Party, the Samoan Government in power in 2019, created unrepairable damage to the country and significantly damaged the image of their political party by failing to plan for an outbreak of measles. Statistics found, according to (Clarke 2019,) 63 Soman lives lost and 1 in 70 people affected.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-09/anatomy-of-an-epidemic:-how-measles-took-hold-of-samoa/11773018?nw=0&r=HtmlFragment
-38957252035175It is outlined by (Jackson & Lyons, 2019, para 8) a mass vaccination campaign was implemented however the vaccination rate prior to the outbreak was too low to protect its people. It is highlighted by (Schumaker, 2019, para 13) that Samoa had a low vaccination rate with data from the World Health Organisation finding the countries national immunization coverage fell from 74% to 32% between 2017-2018 as a response following the death of two infants who were administered incorrect doses of immunisation in a Samoan hospital the previous year. The dour consequences of this drop is further highlighted through (Hoffman, 2020 para. 11) outlining that in 2017 to 2018 the World Health Organisation claimed there were 7,585,900 estimated measles cases and 124, 000 estimated deaths world-wide thus advising the Samoan Government against anti-vaccination.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/18/these-babies-should-not-have-died-how-the-measles-outbreak-took-hold-in-samoahttps://abcnews.go.com/Health/low-vaccination-rate-deadly-medical-mistake-led-samoa/story?id=67317110https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/12/health/measles-deaths-soared-worldwide-last-year-as-vaccine-rates-stalled.htmlBy failing to ignore WHO’s 2017 statistics and recommendations, the Government failed to adhere to the first stages of Lifecycle Crisis as outlined by (Fern-Banks, 2011, p.) as detection. According to (Fern-Banks, 2011) the detection stage begins by identifying a warning indicating the crisis. The warning signs were clear with an outbreak of the Measles across the world in 2017 which was highlighted by WHO. By ignoring the detection stage, a crisis occurred, which is defined by (Jaques, 2014, p.9) as an event or development that can focus unwanted visibility on the organisation and is likely to endanger health or the environment, or seriously impact reputation.
Fearn-Banks, K. (2011) The crisis communications plan 'Crisis communications : a casebook approach '4th ed.(pp. 301-319)Routledge.
The prevention stage is defined by (Fern-Banks, 2011) as the stage where the crisis has occurred resulting in the need for a crisis management team to be formed to manage the crisis and prevent future crisis. (Fern- Banks, 2011) identifies continuous two way communication as the top crisis prevention tactic to prevent the further spread of the crisis once it has already been established.
Considering the first stage lifecycle was ignored, thus resulting in the crisis, the following stage; prevention of the crisis, is highlighted by (Fern-Banks, 2011) as management of the crisis. Crisis Management is defined by (Crandall, Parnell & Spillan, 2014, p.13) as the stage where an organisation is encountering some type of crisis and are directing efforts to address the issue. In response to the outbreak, it is stated by (Mcdonald, 2019, para. 2) that the Prime Minister announced a full shutdown of all public and government services so that all public servants could assist with a mass measles vaccination. In order to transition to an efficient and effective containment of the crisis, defined by (Fern-Banks, 2011) as organisational efforts put in place to stop the crisis spreading, which in turn will assist with the final two stages of recovery and learning, the continuous two-way communications plans, built by the public relations department for stakeholders, engaging in communication on behalf of the Government and health professionals.
Parnell, J. A., Crandall, W. R., Spillan, J. E. (2013). Crisis Management: Leading in the New Strategy Landscape. United Kingdom: SAGE Publications.
https://thediplomat.com/2019/12/measles-outbreak-brings-samoan-government-to-standstill/Written Justification:
Infographic:
As of December 2019, the crisis of the measles outbreak in Samoa is prevalent. It is it revealed by (BBC, 2019, para. 4) Samoa’s low vaccination rates are due to the deaths of two children given a wrongly mixed vaccine. The peak of the crisis presents somewhat further issues which are highlighted as (Hendrie, 2019, para. 7) who states that whilst immunisation programs have been established in Samoa and public gatherings banned, the number of new cases has doubled in a week, resulting in 3700 people infected. Despite the infection rate increasing, (Mayron, 2019, para. 28) reveals that the government’s efforts in fighting the epidemic are being challenged by online influencers and anti- vaxxers. The challenges the ‘ant-vaxxers’ present in Samoa is accentuated by Hendrie, 2019, para.2) claiming that the World Health Organisation revealing and anti-vaccination messaging in Samoa is directly linked to the spread of the highly contagious virus. Both Hendrie and Mayron highlight the issues of the outbreak. Hendrie and BBC state the detrimental outcomes of the crisis, giving statistics of number of deaths and the number of people infected, whereas Mayron directly shows a cause-and-effect relationship finding anti vaxxers influence a result of these statistics.

• The data display which is a table shows Samoa’s vaccine coverage of the two nationally recommended doses are substantially lower than the recommendations and other Pacific Island countries. A line graph calculates data which represents the population of Samoa showing a gradual increase then a peak in 2013, a gradual decrease in 2017, then a rapid drop in 2017 and 2018.
• The statistics and research suggest that as of December 2019, the Measles outbreak have affected Samoa by causing higher infections and deaths. Whilst support services have arrived with Vaccination’s clinics a second problems consists of strong anti-vaccination protesters spreading misinformation and potentially causing harm. (Staff and Agencies, 2019, para. 9) state mandatory immunisation campaigns aim to vaccinate 90% of the population, in which Samoa has increased its vaccination rate to 80%. (Staff and Agencies, 2019, para. 5) blame the outbreak on spreading false information and claiming vaccinations are dangerous.
•  
• Infographic aimed at changing opinion around negative effects of
• the measles Vaccine to speed the process of measles vaccinations
• to 90% and higher in Samoa.
• https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50625680https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/anti-vaccination-advocates-double-down-as-measleshttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/30/there-are-no-words-samoa-buries-its-children-as-measles-outbreak-worsenshttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/07/samoa-measles-crisis-100-new-cases-as-anti-vaccination-activist-chargedRisk Communication:
• The importance of strong risk communication to better inform the public of Samoa is paramount. Risk communication is defined by (World Health Organisation, 2009) as “the real time exchange of information, advice and opinions between experts or officials and people who face a thread (hazard) to their survival, health or economic social well-being.” (p.3). The threat is that anti-vaccinators spreading mis-information. This further encourages those who are not yet vaccinated to remain unvaccinated. The following detrimental effects are highlighted through (CDC, 2020) claiming that for every one person who obtains measles, can cause the spread to nine out of ten other people within the area of a room. The need for communication regarding the importance of the vaccine is evident.
• The formation for a Crisis Communication Plan is essential. The objective of this plan is outlined by (Fearn-Banks, 2004, p.306) who describes “the stand-alone document helping public relations practitioners handle crises more effectively.” It is further highlighted by (Fearn-Banks, 2004) that “Public relations during a crisis, focuses on communications with the company’s publics during the crisis” (p.306). The risk communication plan for encouraging those still unvaccinated (as of December 2019) is communicated through an infographic, message map, media statement and a ‘frequently asked questions’ list.
• The aim of the Infographic is to raise awareness about the positive statistics that have resulted as a result of the vaccine. It is to educate the sample of the population that failed to trust the vaccine which may be slowing down the rate of people becoming fully vaccinated in Samoa.
• https://www.who.int/risk-communication/training/Module-B1.pdfhttps://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/vaccines/mmr-vaccine.html
•  
• Message Map:
• A message map was developed to communicate the challenge faced by the Samoan government concerning the devastating outbreak of the measles. According to (Covello, 2006) one of the most important tools available for a risk communicator is the message map” (p.1). It is further stated by (Covello, 2006, p.2) that message maps gaps in messages regarding management of a crisis are identified and provide clues for needed changes in policies. This can be compared to the crisis in Samoa through the devastating effects the anti-vaccinators are causing by spreading misinformation and slowing the total vaccination goal.
•  
• The table provided by Covello is used to construct a message map essential to communicate the crisis and how to speed up the vaccination rate to 90% or above. As of December 2019, the vaccination rate is 89%, however anti-vaccinators are believed to be the cause of the challenge to get the rate increased.
• Message Map
• Stakeholders: Samoan Government, Health Officials and Anti Vaccination Protesters
• Key Message 1 Key Message 2 Key Message 3
• The Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Vaccination is safe. Anti-Vaccination protesters are spreading false information about the vaccine creating trouble. Measles spread quickly causing further harm and deaths.
• Supporting Fact 1-1 Supporting Fact 2-1 Supporting Fact 3-1
• 2.9 billion people on Earth have been vaccinated since 2001. (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019) https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/immunization/infographic/measles.htm 89% total Samoan population vaccination are vaccinated, however false information is preventing the target of 90% and greater. (ABC News, 2019)
• https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-07/samoa-says-measles-immunisation-nearing-90-per-cent/11777258 One person infected can spread the disease to nine other people.
• National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, 2019) https://www.nfid.org/infectious-diseases/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-measles-infographic/
• Supporting Fact 1-2 Supporting Fact 2-2 Supporting Fact 3-2
• Samoa's low vaccination rates are due to the deaths in 2018 of two children given a wrongly-mixed vaccine. (Whyte, 2019) https://www.newscientist.com/article/2226441-samoan-government-takes-drastic-measures-to-fight-measles-outbreak/
• People who are spreading lies and misinformation about vaccinations are killing children.
• (France-Presse, 2019)
• https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/28/samoa-measles-outbreak-who-blames-anti-vaccine-scare-death-toll  Measles can live for up to two hours on a surface meaning people can touch the contaminated surface and become infected
• (National Foundation for Infectious Diseases). https://www.nfid.org/infectious-diseases/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-measles-infographic/ https://www.nfid.org/infectious-diseases/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-measles-infographic/
• Supporting Fact 1-3 Supporting Fact 2-3 Supporting Fact 3-3
• This is the fault of the two nursers, not the Public Health System. The Samoan government has warned any person that actively discourages or prevents in any way members of the community from receiving their vaccination injection to cease immediately. Reducing immunisation triggers a resurgence of measles.
• This message map is essential for communicating the risk that anti vaccinates present by spreading misinformation, potentially leading into a resurgence of measles and further outbreak. The overarching message are the three key message which challenge anti vaccinates beliefs and encourages the protesters that the vaccine is safe. Information from the message is used to develop a media statement.
• Covello, V (2006)Risk communication and message mapping : a new tool for communicating effectively in public health emergencies and disasters'Journal of Emergency Management'4(3)25-40
•  
• Media Statement:
•  
• The overarching statement constructed from the message map is required to be delivered to the intended audience. (Hill, 2018, para. 2) believes that health interviews in public can get side-tracked with other topics, journalist present thus a bridging technique is a great solution to return to the main focus. A bridging statement is appropriate to remind the Samoan public about the central theme of the measles health issue and the threat of anti-vaccination lies to public health.
• According to (Covello, 2006, p.33) also explains a highlighted problem finding that in times of crisis, people are upset resulting in difficulty hearing, understanding and remembering information. (Covello, 20S06, p.33) explain the technique to facilitate for mental noise following a crisis is to limit the amount of time and words to three key messages, no more than nine seconds and twenty-seven words. (Covello, 2006, p.38) explain this technique is used for news media as sound bites or quotes.
• https://www.aappublications.org/news/2018/09/20/masteringmedia092018
• Frequently Asked Questions:
• A Frequently asked questions page is necessary to address any misinformation or concerns that the anti-vaccination population has in Samoa. The aim is to correct any false information, deliver the correct information to the public, eliminate worry and get the vaccination numbers up to 90% and above. In order to address the key stakeholder here, which is the anti-vaccination protester- who is one of the few in the population to remain unvaccinated, a FAQ may be the most important media message as any concerns that is preventing this type of person receiving the vaccine is addressed. In establishing ease of access to FAQ, multiple places would be recommended in displaying this type of message. A panel of experts on a live debate television program who debate these questions may be a media outlet what may potentially generate the interest of an anti-vaccination protester. Also, on the Samoan Health Care and Police social media accounts, websites, public noticeboards and radio and television ads are media communication outlets that would preview the FAQ.
• How many Children have been infected by the Samoa measles outbreak?
• According to (Save the Children, 2019, para.7) the outbreak has infected 4,357 people.
• https://www.savethechildren.org/us/what-we-do/emergency-response/samoa-measles-outbreak-2019-facts#infected
• How many people have been killed by the disease in Samoa?
• (Save the Children, 2019, para. 8) find 55 children have died of the infection, and 63 people in total.
• What fault does the health care system have in this crisis and should they be trusted?
• (Whyte, 2019, para.7) Improperly prepared MMR vaccinations in 2018 resulted in the death of two children in a Samoan hospital. The nursers responsible were sentence to prison for manslaughter. That was their fault not the health system.
• Should the vaccination be compulsory?
• Yes. As (Whyte, 2019, para 7) finds, the measles vaccination rate fell from 74% in 2017 to 34% in 2018, resulting in the outbreak. By increasing this vaccine rate, shows the country will bounce back on top of this. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2226441-samoan-government-takes-drastic-measures-to-fight-measles-outbreak/
• Is the vaccination safe?
• (The Centre for Disease, Control and Prevention, 2020, para 6) explains the MMR vaccine is very safe, however can have side effects, but poses no serious problems. These side effects include:
• Sore foot
• Fever
• Mild rash
• Temporary pain and stiffness in joints.
• https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/vaccines/mmr-vaccine.html
• How does anti-vaccine movements threaten global health?
• (W.H.O, 2019, para 27) find that vaccine hesitancy is in the top ten threats to global health- along side actual diseases themselves. (W.H.O, 2019, para 28) state that many countries who are close to being fully vaccinated to measles in the past have seen resurgence due to anti vaccination protests. https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019
• How and when will the problem be resolved?
• (ABC News, 2019, para.2) outline that 90% is the margin of safety and the national goal to be considered fully covered and safe.
• https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-07/samoa-says-measles-immunisation-nearing-90-per-cent/11777258
• Why should we trust the Government?
• Because it was not the government’s fault, it was the fault of two nurses who wrongly administered an incorrect dose which caused the rates to decline.
• How has the MMR Vaccine benefited other populations?
• (Hayman, 2019, para 2) finds that in the pre-vaccination era measles infected more than 90% of children before they reached 15 years old, causing more than two million deaths.  In 2016 measles was estimated to infect fewer than 7 million people globally and kill less than 90,000 people, mostly children.  These deaths are entirely preventable through immunization.
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6363159/Hayman D. (2019). Measles vaccination in an increasingly immunized and developed world. Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics, 15(1), 28–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2018.1517074
• Has the MMR Vaccination infected or killed other people in other countries?
• No sources suggest that proper administration of MMR vaccination has ever infected or killed anyone.
   

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