The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for greater support from stakeholders to raise public awareness of its Big Catch Up (BCU) vaccine initiative, aimed at restoring immunization progress lost during the COVID pandemic. -19.
Ambassador. UNICEF SBC/BCU Consultant Dr AK Hudu made the call during his presentation at a day-long public stakeholder meeting on BCU activities for routine immunization intensification (RI) in Lokoja.
According to Hudu, by supporting BCU activities, UNICEF and its partners aim to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases, reduce the risk of outbreaks, and promote overall health and well-being.
Hudu emphasized that the BCU's activities aim to restore immunization progress lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on vaccinating millions of children who did not receive essential vaccines due to the pandemic.
While talking about social and behavior change (SBC), Hudu defined it as a people-centered approach to understanding problems and influencing change.
He added that SBC empowers people to take action and make positive changes in their lives, using community knowledge and a multidisciplinary approach that integrates several fields.
Therefore, he urged stakeholders to help create adequate awareness about BCU activities and called on governments to improve policies and services to improve vaccine uptake.
In his remarks, the Executive Director (ED) of KSPHCDA, Dr. Musa Muazu, commended UNICEF and its partners for their unwavering support to the state in achieving universal health coverage.
Muazu reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Ahmed Ododo's administration to improve the quality of healthcare delivery, particularly at the grassroots level.
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However, he highlighted the need for health officials and relevant stakeholders to remain committed to their responsibilities to ensure effective delivery of services for the betterment of the state.
The ED further asked political officials, especially local government chairmen, to advocate for the upcoming activities of the BCU in their respective areas to ensure full participation.
Speaking on “Roles of Stakeholders in Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilization for BCU”, Mr. Shittu Momoh, State Health Educator, urged stakeholders to create awareness and knowledge about vaccines and vaccination schedule routine (RI) through specific messages.
Momoh emphasized the need for stakeholders to reassure communities about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines by addressing myths, misconceptions and rumors about the vaccines.
He further called for the support of stakeholders to disseminate messages effectively through house-to-house, door-to-door and community mobilization, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
“It is our collective responsibility as stakeholders to channel our efforts towards enlightening people and promoting vaccines as preventive measures against vaccine-preventable diseases in a socially and culturally acceptable manner,” he said.
On her part, Ms. Ajuma Apeh, State Immunization Officer (SIO), speaking on “Key messages on vaccines and BCU activities”, said that the BCU targets children aged 12 to 23 months as well as 24 to 59 months, with antigens. such as Penta, PCV and IPV.
He added that the vaccination team will also vaccinate any zero-dose children identified with routine immunization antigens such as BCG, OPV0 and HepB as part of the search for eligible children.
He said the BCU vaccination campaign activities will be carried out from January 6 to 11, 2025 in seven local government areas: Ankpa, Olamaboro, Dekina, Ofu, Ibaji, Bassa and Kogi.
According to her, key aspects of the BCU's activities include closing immunization gaps by focusing on areas with low vaccination coverage and targeting vulnerable populations, restoring immunization progress and strengthening health systems.
The meeting, organized by the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA) in collaboration with its partners, was attended by traditional and religious leaders, NGOs, CSOs, MDA, media representatives, the Foundation Sultan et al.
The stakeholders, in their various comments, commended UNICEF and its partners for their commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the state and nation.
Stakeholders committed to intensify efforts to raise awareness through public statements, events, interpersonal communication and other means.