Vaccination in the street markets
The vaccination caravan against COVID-19 visits neighbourhoods to raise awareness on the importance of vaccination, and to vaccinate residents and market-goers in Bamako.
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In 12 days the COVID-19 Vaccination and Awareness Caravan traveled to every local council area in Bamako district visiting residents. The team sensitized more than 21,000 people. Some 3069 men, women, girls and boys received a first dose of the vaccine against COVID-19. Let's accompany them to through the markets of Yirimadio, in Commune VI or council area number six.
The Caravan team is made up of vaccinators and influencer-ambassadors who encourage passers-by to get vaccinated. Comedian Makan Camara is one of the young influencers who have been trained by UNICEF to raise awareness about COVID-19 vaccination and answer questions during the Caravan and on social media networks.
The Caravan is an opportunity for young vendors and market goers to have fun dancing while learning about COVID-19 vaccination free of charge. When all those who can be vaccinated have received a dose, the team climbs on the truck and heads to the next stop.
"Everywhere we go, people welcome us with joy. Once we start talking, they listen and come"
Upon arrival in a new market, the vaccination team selects a central location to set up its activities. Immediately, one of the ambassadors begins to announce the arrival of the Caravan, to raise awareness about the importance of getting vaccinated and that the vaccines are free of cost.
Market sellers and customers, mostly women and young men, quickly begin lining up to receive a dose of the vaccine. Reaching out people in the markets is part of the implementation of the Advanced Immunization Strategy. It enables vaccinators to step out of health centers, and visit the population in their homes and workplaces. This way people can be vaccinated directly in their villages and neighborhoods.
"What strikes me is the senior citizens who are not informed. When we go to them and inform them, they are happy, and then they dance."
Once they have received their vaccines, patients line up to receive their individual vaccination certificate, which is filled out by hand. See you at the next campaign for the second dose!
In one day in the markets of Yirimadio, the Caravan team sensitized more than 800 people and vaccinated 190 people. The Caravan took place within the framework of the first edition of the Health and Social Protection Month in Mali. Launched by the Government, this major awareness and information campaign took place from 20 November to 20 December 2023.
The Caravan is a project implemented with funding from GAVI.
