Mchinji District Expanded Programme on Immunisation coordinator Davis Sambikeni has expressed satisfaction with the progress among under-five children.
Established in 2018, the groups have been instrumental in mobilising children for immunisation exercises and sensitising communities about the importance of vaccines.
The volunteers have also gone an extra mile to construct structures to provide shelter during under-five clinics.
In an interview on Sunday, Sambikeni said as of 2024, Mchinji achieved 83 percent coverage of vaccines.
“We are making progress when we compare with three years ago when we could not meet 80 percent coverage. By then, we were 78 percent and below,” he said.
Sambikeni said some of the vaccines being administered include BCG, pentavalent, rotavirus, measles-rubella and the newly introduced HPV for girls aged between nine and 14.
In a separate interview, Nzama Mother Care Group chairperson Sophlet Bakayawo said they work hard to ensure that every child receives vaccines.
“We go to every house, encouraging people to take their children to under-five clinics,” she said.
Bakayawo pledged to continue mobilising communities in their areas for vaccination to build a future healthy generation.
On her part, Matutu-Msasi Mother Care Group secretary Rhoda Chikudzulire bemoaned how misinformation has affected vaccination uptake in the district.
She said: “We have gone flat out, holding meetings with duty-bearers, traditional leaders and community members to provide accurate information about vaccines.
“It is worth noting that those who held such beliefs have changed their mindsets and are taking their children to clinics.”
Centre for Research and Development Initiative with support from Malawi Health Equity Network formed the groups in Mchinji.
Mhen is implementing the Health Systems and Immunisation Strengthening Project with support from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation.
