Red Cross Sensitises Anambra Communities on Vaccination to Boost Immunisation Uptake

The Nigerian Red Cross Society, Anambra State chapter, has launched a vaccination sensitisation campaign targeting vulnerable communities — including children, youths, and persons living with disabilities — to strengthen routine immunisation across the state.

The awareness drive, which commenced on Wednesday at the Red Cross headquarters in Awka, is part of the Saving Lives and Livelihoods Project funded by the Mastercard Foundation and supported by the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC). The event also featured the training of data collectors who will support the six-month project’s implementation in local communities.

Speaking during the exercise, the Anambra State Branch Secretary of the Red Cross Society, Kingsley Okoye, described the initiative as a significant step in building resilience and preparedness against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Okoye explained that the Red Cross has remained at the forefront of global vaccination efforts, using innovative tools — such as animations, community outreach, and media campaigns — to raise awareness and tackle misinformation about vaccines.

> “The project focuses on capacity building, community engagement, and sensitisation among mothers, children, persons with disabilities, and youths,” Okoye said. “It aims to dispel misconceptions, highlight the benefits of vaccination, and promote integrated vaccine uptake.”

He added that the Red Cross is partnering with primary healthcare centres, local health workers, and community leaders to promote safe vaccine delivery, educate mothers, and increase immunisation rates.

> “We adopt a house-to-house approach, confidential counselling, and community education sessions,” he continued. “Our goal is to ensure every eligible child receives all recommended vaccines. Vaccines are safe, free, and effective — and we must work together to prevent outbreaks.”

Okoye also stressed the importance of data collection in strengthening Nigeria’s response to vaccine-preventable diseases and improving public health surveillance.

The event brought together representatives of healthcare development agencies, educators, social mobilisation officers, and other key stakeholders.

Earlier in August, 35 data collectors from Anambra West, Ogbaru, and Nnewi North local government areas — identified for their low vaccination coverage — were trained under the same project.

According to Dr. Ahmad Abdulmajid, Senior Project Officer of the Red Cross, the initiative — being implemented in 10 Nigerian states — is a critical component of national efforts to enhance preparedness for future disease outbreaks and ensure equitable vaccine access.