Boost Community is a global learning and peer-support platform created to strengthen immunization professionals’ ability to lead in complex, high-pressure environments. Launched in January 2020, it builds on earlier efforts to convene immunization professionals and directly responds to persistent challenges in the field—professional isolation, burnout and fatigue, and the realities of delivering results in complex contexts with limited resources. By design, Boost equips members with connections, practical support, and targeted resources to help them navigate challenging contexts, grow professionally, and accelerate progress in their communities; by the end of 2020, the community had grown to more than 1,300 members spanning 123+ countries.
Evidence Frontiers served as the independent evaluation partner for the Boost Annual Evaluation, commissioned by the Albert Sabin Vaccine Institute. The evaluation reviewed Boost’s 2020 offerings, with data collection undertaken between January and May 2021, to assess relevance, effectiveness, and early outcomes for the platform’s target audience. Evidence Frontiers applied a mixed-methods approach—combining a secondary review of existing programme documentation with primary data collection through an online survey, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions—structured using an adapted learning evaluation framework to ensure consistent analysis across themes such as access, engagement, learning, and application of skills in real-world settings.
Key findings showed a fast-growing, highly valued professional community with strong uptake of learning and peer exchange. The platform achieved broad reach (1,300 active profiles across 123 countries), delivered intensive virtual programming during COVID-19 (including 20 live events attracting 3,465 registrants), and enabled sustained engagement through thematic learning groups. Most surveyed members accessed Boost content (85.3%) and overwhelmingly judged it relevant and useful (96.4%); engagement was driven primarily through webinars and training courses, as well as peer-to-peer connections. Members also reported strong network effects—referring colleagues to join (77.2%) and connecting with peers locally and globally through courses, learning groups, and other channels. Critically, members experienced meaningful outcomes: 97.1% perceived Boost as valuable, 90.3% felt valued within the community, and 69.4% reported implementing knowledge and skills from Boost offerings—most notably for personal career development and improved approaches within their organizations—while key barriers included platform navigation challenges and weak internet connectivity, pointing to the importance of continued user orientation, accessibility improvements, and follow-up support after trainings.
