Authorities at the Ministry of Health (MoH) have concluded a day-long media orientation on malaria vaccine messaging, rumor monitoring and reporting.
The exercise was implemented through the Ministry Communication and Health Promotion Unit, Expended Program on Immunization (EPI) and National Malaria Control Program.
It was initiated in collaboration with UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO), Jhpiego, PMI REACH, Christian Health Association of Liberia, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative.
The event brought together about 60 journalists from various media institutions, and social media influencers, equipping them with accurate, actionable information on the importance of the malaria vaccine.
Malaria is a serious disease cause by a parasite transmitted by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, that causes fever and other symptoms in children, aged five to 23 months.
It is a leading cause of child illness and death in the country.
The malaria vaccine, recommended by the WHO, is part of a comprehensive preventive package against the killer disease, as it prevents the child from getting seriously sick with malaria, thus reducing the number of times the child gets ill.
In April 2024, about 35,000 children received malaria vaccination in Grand Gedeh, River Gee, River Cess, Sinoe, Grand Kru and Maryland counties.
The Ministry is also expected to rollout the vaccine to children in Montserrado, Lofa, Bong, Margibi, Nimba, Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Gbarpolu and Grand Bassa counties.
The day-long capacity building workshop was aimed at strengthening the skills of journalists and influencers in identifying, monitoring and responding to rumors, and co-create a collaborative media support work-plan for nationwide awareness and advocacy about the vaccine.
The Manager for the Expended Program on Immunization, Dr. Yuah A. Nyemah, officially opened the workshop on behalf of the Minister of Health.
Nyemah said the cry of a new born baby is the confirmation of life. As such, MoH hope that together, everyone will work in transforming the cry of the Liberian children into echoes of health, hope and of full potential by ensuring that every child is vaccinated.
He said the global scientific communities researched and came out with a vaccine that when administer to the child at an early age, it helps to recognize the malaria smear, and fight against it, thereby, increasing the chance of survivor and successful for the child.
“We should accompany every mother and family along the journey of ensuring that the children attend the immunization sessions, and remain enroll and complete all of the vaccination as planned, so they can grow up to become productive citizens,” he said.
Dr. Nyemah said by engaging with media practitioners and influencers, the Ministry remains committed to ensuring that communities receive timely, reliable and clear information that supports vaccine uptake and addresses misconceptions.
“Overall, we have administered 13 vaccines to children against various diseases, and it was successful. The number one cause of a person getting sick, and the main reason while children under the age of five years died, is because of malaria. Therefore, this engagement is very important, because it will create the necessary aware on while the children should take the vaccine. By that, they would change the mindset of people about the medication. We have meanwhile, urged our mothers and fathers to ensure that every child or children gets vaccinated early.”
Dr. Nyemah then appreciated the participants, underscored the importance of their role in creating the necessary awareness for Liberians to allow their children to take the malaria vaccine.
“On behalf of the Expended Program on Immunization, I formally declared this workshop opened. Let’s work together to capture every child at five-15 months for the malaria vaccine.”
Madam Alice O. Peters, who spoke on behalf of UNICEF, described children’s right as the business of everyone.
Madam Peters called on journalists and social media influencers to play a key role in ensuring that they spread the rightful message and underline the vaccine importance using their respective platforms.
“You are invited for this malaria vaccine workshop, because, we are about to scale out in nine of the 15 counties. Six counties have already been vaccinated. We want you to promote the vaccine on your various platforms as the vaccination of every child is key to health. It is also very cost effective.”
Madam Peters said when the children are well and protected, it brings happiness to their parents, adding: “Health is worth; they are depending on the media to utilized their platforms in educating the public about the importance in getting their child or children vaccinated.”
Facilitators informed the participants that the vaccine is part of a broader prevention strategy, as it reduces malaria cases and severe illness.
They said that the vaccine is given to all children between five to 23 months, and they must complete all four doses (5,6,7 and 15 months) for best protection.
Children must continue other preventive measures, including sleeping under the insecticide-treated nets (INTs).
Moreover, health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease, and it is also a fundamental right for every human-being, regardless their race, religion or culture believe.
The malaria vaccine was designed to prevent disease from occurring and reduce new cases, as it also aimed to mitigate the effects of diseases once it is underway, thereby reducing the case of fatality rate or disability associated with the disease.
Media practitioners and influencers were also told to do away with rumors, misinformation and disinformation, by carryout intensive research and background checks in gathering all of the necessary facts before reporting or posting a news story. Macpherson C. Marbiah writes/0886442881-077725