August 3, 2022In the wake of the rapid increase in the number of cases and widespread of measles in at least 14 of the 15 counties, the Liberia National Red Cross Society has launched an immediate progressive mass awareness campaign to encourage the vaccination of children under five years old. “The current geographical scope of the outbreak in Liberia highlights a spike in cases and there is a need to increase and enhance the vaccination of children.
As a result, we are on a three-month campaign to create a massive awareness to educate mothers and encourage mass vaccination” the Secretary General of the Liberian Red Cross said in a Press Release. Mr. Gregory T. Blamoh added that: “The Liberian Red Cross strongly supports the efforts of the Ministry of Health and other partners to ensure that every child fully benefits from the protection that vaccines offer”.
He emphasized that the Liberian Red Cross will campaign vigorously in affected and at-risk communities in the eight targeted counties and districts to encourage mothers to take their children for the measles vaccines. “Let’s do what is best for our children – follow the routine immunizations to protect our own and our neighbors’ children”, Mr. Blamoh said.
“We continue to work with local health authorities in mapping out affected and at-risk communities. We’ve conducted assessments in the targeted counties and volunteers are mobilized, trained, and deployed for awareness-raising”, he added. Mr. Gregory T. Blamoh mentioned that the Red Cross has received funding support from the European Union through the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
“We are thrilled with such a huge and timely support. It has enhanced our support to the mass vaccination campaign through social mobilization, and community engagement”, Mr. Blamoh pointed out, emphasizing that “This is a strong signal to stop the spread of measles in Liberia”.
“We are exceedingly thankful to the European Union for the emergency fund through the IFRC. We will coordinate our activities with the Ministry of Health and other partners while improving community monitoring and reporting of measles cases” he acknowledged.
The Liberian Red Cross’ Volunteers are on foot using posters, flyers, and megaphones to engage communities and promote the measles vaccines as safe and effective. The volunteers are targeting and encouraging mothers and people at higher risk of developing severe illnesses, such as unvaccinated children under five, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly, and people with special needs.
The Red Cross is also Sound Truck and radio messaging in Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Margibi, Bong, Nimba, Lofa, Bomi, and Grand Cape Mount. The Liberia Health Ministry in April declared a measles outbreak affecting 14 of the 15 counties in the country.
The Ministry said the outbreak is a result of low immunization rates, due to disruption of immunization activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and people’s general misconceptions about immunization.
