Action on low immunization uptake.

Despite a number of initiatives and campaigns over the years immunization coverage in most parts of Nigeria remains low. That low coverage contributes to high morbidity and mortality levels among children. Poor transport an ineffective cold chain shortages of trained manpower and inadequate community support and involvement are some of the factors which explain the underutilization of the immunization service. Aba is a city of approximately 500000 people in eastern Nigeria in which the majority of inhabitants are traders. Abas primary health care committee decided that immunization centers should be established in or near main trading areas to accommodate traders who did not want to leave their goods in order to take their children to primary care facilities for immunization. Traders representatives helped to identify 8 suitable locations for vaccination sites in 3 shopping centers the local authority provided financial and political support and the state government gave technical and logistical assistance. The project began in September 1990 and was publicized through the traders networks which also helped to mobilize the relevant resources. Since many trading families were reached for the first time at the special centers immunization coverage improved significantly for the 6 vaccine-preventable childhood diseases. Moreover the project gave health workers the opportunity to deliver other services and counseling on matters of public health importance.