Click here to download a PDF version of this document (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Vaccinator Information Sheet and Q & A

You have contributed to the polio immunisation programme in many ways. You are a very important link between society and the health system. You are responsible for maintaining good relations between them.

But how are you going to meet this responsibility?

You use many traditional ways of presenting health messages to the parents of children you are vaccinating. But sometimes this may make no difference. However hard you try the parents are still reluctant to talk to you or let you vaccinate their children. During these times your behaviour is critical and the way you talk and deal with the situation is as important as the message you give.

Conversation is always:

Two ways and personal.Being personal, we each have some responsibility for the outcome or solution to a perceived problem.

Method of conversation:

It helps to listen as well as to speak. This will develop understanding and respect between vaccinators and clients.

Your attitudes and beliefs affect the way you behave towards others. You should never attack the values or beliefs of others and should not discriminate between groups. The impact of any conversation is lost if the “ego” comes into it.

While doing your work and talking to parents, if you feel that some kind of doubt is developing towards the programme you should deal first with the doubts, so that the person understands the programme, is relaxed and able to listen to you and allow their children to be vaccinated.

Some members of a community are very influential and effective, so try to know them in advance in order to obtain their help when required. An influential man/women is neither bad nor good. It depends on you to get maximum use of his/her ability and support.

In the past:

You must have experienced many situations where people are not listening to you however hard you try, you are being ignored or they agree in your presence but do not cooperate with the programme. Sometimes they do not talk properly or even become angry with you.

Patience, self-confidence and time are very important in all these situations. In some situations it may happen that despite of all your efforts some communities or families are not cooperating, in which case you should inform your supervisor immediately.

Some Important Issues for you to remember:

Make sure:

Remember that a child should be immunised irrespective of the number of doses the child has received in the past.

Appropriate House Marking During house-to-house Immunisation

Mark the house as follows:

All the children in this house have been vaccinated in this round.

Some children have not been vaccinated this round, children are not at home, the house was locked or the family is not cooperating.

There is no eligible child in this house.

Those houses where all children have not been immunised should be revisited before the end of the campaign to immunise the the children that were missed.

The Cold Chain

For the quality of the Polio dose – rely on the VVM.

The colour of the polio vaccine could be white, yellow or pink but the quality is not effected.

Frequently asked questions:

You will need to be prepared to answer questions from parents about the campaign. Here are some examples

Q.1 Why is the polio vaccination campaign conducted over and over again?

Because Nigeria is one of the countries that still have the poliovirus circulating, so the campaign needs to continue to stop transmission of polio in the country.

Q.2 My children have been vaccinated 8 times already. Is it necessary and safe for them to get the vaccines again?

Yes! No child is safe from the poliovirus until it is eradicated completely. Extra doses are safe and increase protection against polio.

Q. 3 Why is the campaign limited to only 13 states?

Laboratory results show that the poliovirus is still circulating freely in those areas.

Q.4 When will this campaign end?

When polio is eradicated from every part of Nigeria.

Q.5: Is polio vaccine dangerous for my child?

No. It is safe for your child, and has been proven safe by WHO, UNICEF and the Federal Government. The vaccine does not contain HIV or family planning contraceptives. The vaccine has no complications or side effects.

Q. 6 In which other countries are similar campaigns going on?

Campaigns are going on in India, Pakistan, Egypt, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, DRC, Angola and many more countries in the world. Similar campaigns were held in Europe and America using the same vaccines.

Q.7: Why the emphasis on polio and not other childhood killer diseases like malaria, typhoid, cholera?

Because polio is one of the diseases that can easily be eradicated and reduce disability and death.

Q.8 Can other childhood diseases be eradicated?

Yes they can. You can find out more and receive vaccinations from your nearest health centre.

Q.9 Do we need to take our children for vaccination at health centres after they have been vaccinated during NIDs or SNIDs?

Yes. Polio vaccinations during the campaigns do not replace the existing immunisation programme. Polio drops given during SNIDs or NIDs are meant to increase protection and eradicate poliovirus.

Together we will eradicate polio!

NOTE - The Vaccinator Information Sheet and Q&A are available in printed and electronic format.

Contact: Steve Stewart - znc4@cdc.gov,

Jonathan Veitch - veitchj@who.int,

Thilly De Bodt tdebodt@unicef.org