Red Cross Boosts Vaccine Awareness to Strengthen Immunisation in Anambra

The Nigerian Red Cross Society, Anambra State branch, has intensified efforts to raise vaccine awareness among vulnerable populations—including children, youths, and persons living with disabilities—to enhance routine immunisation across the state. This campaign, part of the Saving Lives and Livelihoods Project funded by the Mastercard Foundation and supported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, commenced recently at the Red Cross headquarters in Awka.

The six-month initiative, also involving data collectors trained to gather critical immunisation data, targets communities in Anambra West, Ogbaru, and Nnewi North—areas identified with low vaccine coverage. The society employs innovative methods such as animations and community engagement efforts to debunk myths and encourage comprehensive vaccine uptake. The approach includes house-to-house visits, confidential counselling, advocacy meetings, and collaboration with healthcare workers and media outlets to promote vaccination.

Kingsley Okoye, the Anambra Red Cross Secretary, emphasized the society’s longstanding commitment to global vaccination efforts and the critical role of data collection in preventing disease outbreaks. He urged communities to embrace vaccines as safe, free, and essential for public health protection and empowerment against epidemics.

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The project also includes capacity building for healthcare workers and training on data collection tools to ensure evidence-driven immunisation programming. It aligns with Nigeria’s broader strategy to strengthen outbreak preparedness and ensure sustainable vaccination coverage in vulnerable regions.

This proactive campaign reflects a comprehensive multi-stakeholder effort involving the Red Cross, primary healthcare development agencies, social mobilisers, and community leaders, aiming to safeguard Anambra State against vaccine-preventable diseases and improve public health outcomes.