Community Engagement in Liberia: Routine Immunization Post-Ebola

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Social Sciences

Background:

• A national integrated immunization campaign for polio, measles, and deworming was conducted in Liberia from May 8-14, 2015.
• The campaign leveraged community engagement and social mobilization structures established during the Ebola response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of community engagement and social mobilization activities during the campaign.
• To assess community perceptions of routine immunization in the post-Ebola context.
• To identify barriers and drivers of routine immunization utilization.

Main Methods:

• A rapid qualitative assessment was conducted immediately after the campaign.
• Focus group discussions and interviews were held in four Liberian counties: Montserrado, Nimba, Bong, and Margibi.
• Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data.

Main Results:

• Key barriers and drivers influencing routine immunization uptake were identified.
• Community members provided recommendations for future health interventions.
• Insights into community perceptions of routine immunization in the post-Ebola era were gathered.

Conclusions:

• Community-based solutions and recommendations should be integrated into future health intervention and program development.
• Effective community engagement strategies are crucial for successful vaccination campaigns.
• Understanding community perceptions is vital for improving routine immunization coverage.