Using political leaders to mobilize parents and care takers of children to increase Uptake of Measles-Rubella Immunization Campaign: A case of Mityana District in Uganda

Summary:

USAID/Communication for Healthy Communities (CHC) supported Mityana District Local Government to design and implement SBCC interventions supporting the Measles - Rubella immunization campaign. Importantly, CHC engaged three political leaders, the Resident District Commissioner, Local Council Chairperson, Chief Administrative Officer, and 12 councilors to mobilize communities, use talking points to share accurate information on the benefits of vaccination and to dispel rumors about immunization. They were supported along with district health teams to promote the benefits of immunization and announce dates and immunization posts on local radio stations. The political leaders engaged promoted immunization and model the promoted behavior helped to dispel myths and misconceptions about vaccine safety. Supporting political leaders to conduct mobilization through radio programmes motivated parents and caregivers to take their children for immunization.

Background/Objectives:

USAID/Communication for Healthy Communities (CHC) supported Mityana District Local Government to design and implement SBCC interventions supporting the Measles - Rubella immunization campaign. Importantly, CHC engaged three political leaders, the Resident District Commissioner, Local Council Chairperson, Chief Administrative Officer, and 12 councilors to mobilize communities, use talking points to share accurate information on the benefits of vaccination and to dispel rumors about immunization. They were supported along with district health teams to promote the benefits of immunization and announce dates and immunization posts on local radio stations. The political leaders engaged promoted immunization and model the promoted behavior helped to dispel myths and misconceptions about vaccine safety. Supporting political leaders to conduct mobilization through radio programmes motivated parents and caregivers to take their children for immunization.

Description of Intervention and/or Methods/Design:

USAID/Communication for Healthy Communities (CHC) supported the Mityana District Local Government Department of Health to design and implement SBCC interventions supporting the national campaign. Interpersonal Communication (IPC) Agents were trained and equipped to disseminate tailored messages sensitizing parents and caretakers of children under 5 on the benefits of vaccination. Importantly, CHC engaged three political leaders, the Resident District Commissioner, Local Council Chairperson, Chief Administrative Officer, and 12 councilors to mobilize their communities. These leaders were trained to use talking points to share accurate information on the benefits of vaccination and to dispel rumors about immunization. They were supported along with district health teams to promote the benefits of immunization and announce dates and immunization posts on local radio stations.

Results/Lessons Learned:

Over 1,200 parents and care takers of children under 5 were reached in 171 immunization posts between 16 and 22 October 2019. At the village level, each councilor worked with the local council chairman and mobilizer to create awareness about measles-rubella vaccination using mega phones. The councilors reached parents and care takers in 12 sub counties in Mityana district. Several leaders also publicly immunized their children to reassure parents that vaccines are safe. During the period of the campaign coverage in Mityana increased from 75% to 123%, exceeding the national target of 100%.

Discussion/Implications for the Field:

Engaging political leaders to promote immunization and model the promoted behavior helped to dispel myths and misconceptions about vaccine safety. Supporting political leaders to conduct mobilization through radio programmes motivated parents and caregivers to take their children for immunization.

Abstract submitted by:

Rebecca Birungi - FHI 360
Denis Mono 
Brian Pedersen - FHI 360 Sheila Marunga Coutinho - FHI 360