Dakar – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is committed to improving access to vaccines and reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection among migrants, displaced persons, and host communities by enhancing communication on the importance of immunization. Logistics related to the cold chain and vaccine administration are also included in the key objectives.

In West and Central Africa, high-risk and vulnerable people in Mali, Mauritania, and Nigeria who are not likely to be covered by national COVID-19 immunization plans and micro-plans are the beneficiaries of the SDC project.

Among the main achievements mentioned during the lesson sharing workshop that brought together representatives of the Nigerian, Malian, and Mauritanian Ministries of Health on 22 and 23 March in Senegal, community leaders’ participation in communication activities was highly welcomed in reducing reluctance to vaccinate. In Mali, the increase in the rate of acceptance of vaccines in migrant transit centres reached over 80%. In addition, 7,500 internally displaced persons, 5,400 migrants and 16,000 people in host populations were reached.

“We selected these three countries because they host populations affected by conflict or humanitarian emergencies as well as vulnerable individuals including migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, and internally displaced persons. We have been able to build on political commitment of the respective governments. In addition, our teams in the field provided technical, clinical, and programmatic support to countries while using integrated and sustainable strategies,” says Mireille Lembwadio, Global Immunization Programme Coordinator in the Migration Health Division at the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

In Mauritania, the project was welcomed by the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, which took the opportunity to readjust its national immunization plan by including a wider range of target groups as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).

This multilateral collaboration to improve access to health services for migrants and populations in these three countries is possible thanks to funding from the Swiss Cooperation through the project “Advancing the Global Health Security Agenda through Strengthening Capacities for Rapid Response to Humanitarian and Public Health Emergencies in West and Central Africa” through improved access to COVID-19 Vaccination.

“In Borno State, Nigeria, our response to migrants’ refusal of vaccines was to provide them with reassuring testimonies from people who made it without any concerns,” said Dr. Boyinga, Project Manager at IOM Nigeria.

With the support of the Swiss Government through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and in a broader context of mistrust and rejection of COVID-19 vaccines, the SDC project has demonstrated the lack of awareness of the benefits of immunization among the general population, hence the need to continue awareness-raising efforts. 

For more information, please contact Dr. Viviane Nzeusseu, Regional Migration Health Specialist at IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa, Tel: +221 77 332 60 44 +, Email: vnzeusseu@iom.int.