Pediatric Experts Launch Major Immunization Awareness Drive in Monrovia
The International Pediatric Association and the Pediatric Association of Liberia have concluded a two-day immunization awareness workshop in Monrovia aimed at improving child vaccination coverage. Health experts stressed the importance of vaccines in preventing deadly diseases, while highlighting challenges such as misinformation and limited access in remote communities. The initiative, under the Immunization Champions Project, will deploy trained health workers over three years to educate families, boost confidence in vaccines, and increase immunization rates across Liberia.
Odarty Blackie
Monrovia, Liberia: The International Pediatric Association (IPA), in collaboration with the Pediatric Association of Liberia (PAL), has successfully concluded a two-day vaccination awareness workshop in Monrovia, reinforcing national efforts to improve child health and immunization coverage.
Held at the Sinkor Palace Hotel under the theme “Immunization Champion Project,” the workshop brought together healthcare professionals, international policymakers, and child health advocates from across Montserrado County and beyond.
Participants from countries including Indonesia and Nigeria emphasized that immunization remains one of the most effective and proven methods to protect children against life-threatening diseases. Vaccines, they noted, help build immunity before exposure, significantly reducing the risk of infection and complications.
Speaking at the opening session, the President of the Pediatric Association of Liberia, Dr. Cecelia Nuta, underscored the urgent need to strengthen public awareness and address misinformation surrounding vaccines.
“We must continue to raise awareness and correct false information about vaccines,” Dr. Nuta stated. “Parents need to understand that even if a child misses a dose, it is not too late to catch up.”
Dr. Nuta highlighted that one of the major challenges facing Liberia’s immunization program is limited access to remote communities, where outreach services remain insufficient and many families are unable to receive regular vaccination support.
She further clarified concerns surrounding the Immunization Champions Project, a three-year initiative being implemented through the IPA-PAL partnership with support from the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health.
“This project is not in response to any outbreak,” she emphasized. “It is about prevention and ensuring that we do not repeat past public health failures.”
Referencing lessons from the Ebola outbreak, Dr. Nuta noted that weak community engagement previously contributed to the rapid spread of disease, stressing the importance of building trust and awareness at the grassroots level.
According to findings from Innovations for Poverty Action, immunization coverage remains critically low in some communities, with only approximately 15 percent of children fully vaccinated leaving many vulnerable to preventable diseases.
As part of the initiative, trained community health workers will be deployed over the next three years to engage directly with families, provide education, address vaccine hesitancy, and encourage full immunization.
The program is being implemented with support from the Ministry of Health and international partners, reflecting a coordinated and sustained effort to improve child survival and strengthen Liberia’s public health system.
