HEALTH WORKERS’ ATTITUDES CRITICAL TO CHILDHOOD VACCINATION UPTAKE – HEALTH EXPERT

The success of childhood vaccination programmes in Nigeria depends not only on the availability of vaccines but also on the attitudes and conduct of health workers who deliver them, a public health expert said.

Speaking during a media interview with Rooted Scope Media, Mrs. Adeyemi Taiwo Foluke, a Community Health Officer and Public Health Specialist with 17 years of experience in childhood immunisation, stressed that health workers remain the most influential link between immunisation policies and the communities they are meant to serve.

According to her, parents and caregivers often make decisions about vaccinating their children based on their experiences at health facilities. “Health workers are trusted voices in the community. Their attitude, whether welcoming or dismissive, can either build confidence in childhood vaccination or discourage caregivers from returning,” she said.

Mrs. Adeyemi explained that positive attitudes, characterised by empathy, patience, and respectful communication, significantly improve immunisation uptake and completion rates. She noted that when caregivers are properly informed about the benefits, safety, and possible side effects of vaccines, they are more likely to adhere to routine immunisation schedules.

However, she expressed concern that negative attitudes among a few health workers continue to undermine vaccination efforts. “Harsh words, lack of explanation, or poor client engagement can reinforce fear, misinformation, and vaccine hesitancy,” she warned, adding that such experiences may lead to missed or incomplete vaccinations, exposing children to preventable diseases.

She attributed some of these challenges to systemic issues within the health sector, including staff shortages, high workloads, inadequate welfare packages, and limited opportunities for continuous training. These factors, she said, often result in stress and burnout, which may affect service delivery.

Despite these challenges, Mrs. Adeyemi emphasised that professionalism and ethical conduct must remain non-negotiable. She called for sustained investment in training health workers not only on technical immunisation skills but also on interpersonal communication, ethics, and attitude development. “How a health worker speaks to a caregiver can be just as important as the vaccine itself,” she said.

On vaccine hesitancy, she noted that health workers must be confident and well-informed to counter myths and misconceptions. “A health worker who lacks confidence in vaccines cannot convince a doubtful parent. Continuous capacity building is essential,” she added.

Mrs. Adeyemi urged government and development partners to prioritise supportive supervision, motivation, and welfare of frontline health workers as a strategy to strengthen routine immunisation services nationwide.

“As we work towards reducing zero-dose children and improving childhood survival, we must remember that health workers are at the heart of the system,” she said. “When they are supported, their positive attitudes become a powerful driver of trust, acceptance, and improved vaccination outcomes.”

She concluded that improving health workers’ attitudes is not merely a behavioural issue but a critical public health investment necessary to safeguard the lives and future of Nigerian children.