The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Lagos State Branch, has deployed 5,346 trained volunteers across all parts of Lagos State to intensify public awareness and community engagement ahead of the Measles–Rubella (MR) vaccination exercise scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
The large-scale mobilisation marks the start of an extensive house-to-house Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) campaign aimed at ensuring that no eligible child is missed in the prevention of measles and rubella, both of which are highly contagious but preventable childhood diseases.
The initiative, jointly funded by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Red Cross, is being implemented by the Nigerian Red Cross Society in support of government-led immunisation efforts, with a strong focus on improving vaccine uptake and addressing hesitancy at the community level.
The campaign follows a week-long step-down training conducted across the 20 Local Government Areas of Lagos State between January 19 and January 23.
The trainings were facilitated by trained Red Cross supervisors and local government representatives who had earlier undergone a comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) programme.
The sessions ensured uniform messaging, effective knowledge transfer, and adherence to established standards across all Red Cross divisions in the state.
During the trainings, volunteers were equipped with essential skills for effective community mobilisation, including interpersonal communication, counselling techniques, ethical engagement, and strict adherence to the Red Cross Code of Conduct and humanitarian principles.
They were also trained on key Measles–Rubella messages covering vaccine safety, benefits, eligibility, timelines, as well as the use of data collection and reporting tools.
Each volunteer is expected to engage at least 50 households daily through direct interaction with parents and caregivers.
While the Lagos State Government has scheduled the MR vaccination exercise to run for 10 days, from January 27 to February 5, 2026, the Nigerian Red Cross has extended its RCCE activities beyond the vaccination window.
The Society will conduct a 10-day pre- and intra-campaign mobilisation from January 25 to February 3, followed by a two-day mop-up exercise on February 6 and 7.
In total, the RCCE intervention will span 12 days of targeted community engagement to stimulate early demand, sustain awareness, and follow up on missed children.
The deployment includes 5,343 community-based volunteers and supervisors across all 20 LGAs, supported by 40 trained Divisional Secretaries and Data Officers responsible for coordination, supervision, and daily reporting.
Volunteers, drawn from their respective communities, will communicate in local languages to enhance trust, cultural sensitivity, and effective information delivery.
Speaking during monitoring visits to volunteer trainings in Agege, Mushin, and Ikorodu LGAs, the Lagos State Branch Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mr. Olakunle Lasisi, expressed confidence in the campaign’s success, citing the high level of preparedness observed among volunteers.
He noted that instances of vaccine refusal would be properly documented and escalated to Health Educators and Local Immunisation Officers for targeted intervention.
Similarly, during visits to training sessions in Badagry and Surulere LGAs, the Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Lagos State Branch, Dr. (Mrs.) Victoria Adebola Kolawole, commended the discipline and commitment displayed by volunteers, describing them as trusted voices within their communities.
She emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration with government health authorities in achieving positive public health outcomes.
Also speaking during field visits to Ikorodu and Alimosho LGAs, Dr. Ahmad Abdul Majid of the NRCS National Headquarters described the Lagos campaign as a strong model for community-led support to vaccination programmes.
He reaffirmed that the Measles–Rubella vaccine is safe and effective, noting that similar RCCE interventions are currently ongoing in Bayelsa State, where over 3,000 Red Cross volunteers are supporting immunisation efforts across eight LGAs.
With more than 5,000 volunteers mobilised across urban, peri-urban, and riverine communities, the Nigerian Red Cross Society continues to demonstrate its commitment to saving lives, strengthening community resilience, and ensuring that every child is reached as Lagos prepares for the Measles–Rubella vaccination exercise.
Reporting Niran Odufayo