The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has announced its plan to partner with media organizations to boost advocacy efforts ahead of the 2024 Supplementary Immunisation Activities (SIAs). This was revealed in a communiqué issued following a media orientation workshop held in Abuja to outline the roles of the media in ensuring the success of the upcoming campaign.
Representatives from both print and electronic media joined NPHCDA officials in co-signing the communiqué, which emphasized the need for active media participation to amplify the vaccination campaign’s messages. The 2024 integrated SIAs will target 26 states, including Anambra, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Oyo, FCT, and others, with a focus on measles, polio, yellow fever, tetanus, diphtheria, and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations.
Participants in the workshop stressed the importance of effective advocacy, timely information dissemination, and support for the campaign’s strategic objectives. They highlighted that NPHCDA should prioritize providing accurate information to mobilize the public and counter vaccine resistance and misinformation.
The media pledged to support the immunisation efforts by amplifying key messages on the importance of vaccines and helping combat misinformation. “We commit to effectively amplifying messages on the importance of vaccination and disseminating accurate information to address issues of vaccine resistance and misinformation,” the communiqué stated.
Ladan Aliyu, Director of Advocacy and Communications at NPHCDA, outlined the 2024 campaign’s goals, including achieving a 95% vaccination coverage for measles and polio, 80% coverage for yellow fever, and 85% coverage for zero-dose children in targeted local government areas (LGAs). He acknowledged the presence of anti-immunisation campaigners and assured that the agency’s crisis communication plan is equipped to handle challenges at both national and sub-national levels.
Aliyu explained that NPHCDA’s strategy includes engaging traditional and religious leaders to help dispel rumors and misinformation surrounding vaccines. He further announced that the integrated SIAs campaign would begin in September 2024 and expressed gratitude to the media for their continued support in ensuring accurate information reaches the population.
The collaboration between NPHCDA and the media is expected to play a crucial role in the success of the immunisation efforts, particularly in addressing concerns and increasing public trust in vaccines across Nigeria.
