Balochistan - A Journey to Vaccination

"Finding creative ways to reach everyone with better information and tailored services could be a game changer."

In Killa Abdullah and Duki, two districts in rural Balochistan, Pakistan, only 11% of children aged 12-23 months are fully immunised, and only 8% of girls are fully immunised, compared to 18% of boys. In collaboration with International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and with support from the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, Common Thread travelled to rural Balochistan and asked families and health workers about their experiences with vaccination services. This footage was a complement to conversations Common Thread had with over 80 people at 8 local health centres in Duki and Killa Abdullah to help IFRC better understand how to improve demand for immunisation.

The video provides a glimpse into the lives of the families in rural Killa Abdullah who need to be reached by vaccinators, as well as the challenges such personnel face, such as misconceptions that vaccines are made of monkey fat, which is prohibited in the area. It documents approaches vaccinators use to build trust, including meeting at the outset with religious leaders, stakeholders, and the land department. Sometimes, it is is the tragic news that a local child has died from a vaccine-preventable disease that shifts families' mindset from a stance of refusing vaccination to opening the door to a vaccinator.

Interim findings from Common Ground's research indicate that small actions can go a long way to overcoming vaccine hesitancy and improving access, such as having a conversation with a father on what to expect after his baby is vaccinated or holding health centre hours that match families' working schedules. More intensive and long-term adjustments being explored include: hiring more women, reshaping the clinic experience, attending to tribal dynamics, and motivating a parent or grandparent on the benefits of vaccination in multi-family households.