Engaging adolescents and youth in the fight against polio
In Mali, young U-Reporters are at the forefront of raising community awareness about the vaccination of children against polio.
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"Initially, I was skeptical about vaccinating my children due to numerous doubts stemming from rumors surrounding the polio vaccine. However, after the U-Reporters elucidated the benefits and protections provided by the polio vaccine, I came to understand its critical importance for my children's health. I also considered the associated risks and the importance of vaccination. They took the time to address all my enquiries and alleviate my concerns. Today, my children are vaccinated and safe, thanks to their efforts," said Aissata Koné, mother of three, from Hamdallaye, Sikasso.
Poliomyelitis known commonly as polio is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children under the age of five. In 2020, four years after Mali was certified as a country free from the circulation of the wild poliovirus, the nation experienced a series of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases in certain regions. Sikasso, being close to the epidemic's epicenter due to it having borders with countries affected by polio, rose up to this alarming situation thanks to the commitment of the youth U-Reporters.
Through a partnership between UNICEF and the National Center for the Promotion of Volunteering, the U-Action initiative placed young U-Reporters at the forefront of community awareness efforts. The aim was to demonstrate that vaccination is one of the effective means to prevent the spread of polio. Thanks to the energy and commitment of the U-Reporters, 1,265,567 children were vaccinated in the town of Sikasso, three cases of refusal urgently reversed, and one case of AFP referred.
Following a training session held by the Government and UNICEF, accompanied by meticulous planning focused on social and behavioral change, including the identification of refusal cases and active outreach to unvaccinated children, about one hundred young girls and boys were mobilized in Sikasso between 22 to 25 November 2024. Their objective was to raise awareness and encourage communities to vaccinate all children aged 0 to 59 months in the town.
These U-Reporters, who are active and influential members of their communities, were equipped to become agents of change and champions in the fight against polio. Their role has been pivotal, as they were responsible not only for disseminating essential information about vaccination but also for collecting data, including on rumors surrounding the polio vaccine.
The responsibilities of the U-Reporters extend beyond mere information dissemination - they are also involved in community mobilization through awareness activities in neighborhoods, schools, bus stations, and public places to encourage parents to vaccinate their children under the age of five. Their efforts have reached a wide audience, especially families that are hesitant or poorly informed about the importance of vaccination against poliomyelitis.
“I successfully persuaded hesitant parents to vaccinate their children against polio. Addressing these refusals and witnessing these children protected from polio is the greatest reward of my commitment.” Ramata Koné, 24 years old, U-Reporter, Sikasso.
Like Ramata, some 100 more U-Reporters promoted the Polio Chatbot which provided reliable information on the vaccination campaign via SMS to more than 207 500 people, answering parents' questions and dispelling doubts often fueled by rumors. At the same time, another chatbot, dedicated to collecting rumors, enabled U-Reporters to report more than 1,000 erroneous or malicious reports about vaccination. This dual approach allowed for proactive responses to community concerns and has strengthened trust in vaccination efforts. The programme, which is part of an innovative and inclusive initiative, relies on the U-Report platform, a tool that reaches a wide audience through a chatbot.
The success of this campaign is attributed to the active involvement of youth. Being mediators and informants within their communities, and closely attuned to the concerns of families, U-Reporters are able to overcome the social and cultural barriers that sometimes hinder vaccination efforts.
The involvement of youth in the fight against polio in Mali introduces a new dynamic to the strategy to promote vaccination that aims at raising awareness and mobilizing communities. Through U-Report, innovative communication strategies are emerging, driven by these young change agents committed to positively influencing parental behavior and ensuring optimal vaccination coverage. The hope for a polio-free Mali now has an important ally.
