Vaccination is the main tool for primary prevention of disease and one of the most cost-effective public health measures available.

Immunization through vaccination is the best defence we have against serious, preventable, and sometimes deadly, contagious diseases like measles, polio, tuberculosis, cervical cancer, hepatitis, and more. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccination prevents an estimated 3.5-5 million deaths worldwide each year and reduces disease-specific treatment costs. Yet, despite decades of progress, millions of children and adolescents still miss out on these life-saving vaccines due to misinformation, service gaps, and inequities in access.

In Rwanda, immunization coverage is among the highest in Africa, with over 95% of children receiving core vaccines. However, challenges persist, especially in remote areas and among marginalized families. Some children miss doses because of long travel distances to health facilities, parents’ work schedules, or lack of awareness of vaccination schedules. Misconceptions and misinformation about vaccine safety also discourage uptake, leaving children vulnerable to preventable illnesses and outbreaks.

When children are unvaccinated, it doesn’t just affect them; it threatens the health of the entire community. Every missed vaccination is a missed opportunity to protect a life.

CHB’s Work

At CHB, we believe no child or adolescent should miss out on life-saving vaccines. Our approach combines youth leadership, community engagement, and innovative communication to promote vaccination and address barriers to access.

We contribute towards eradicating these challenges by:

1. Training Youth as Immunization Champions:

We equip young leaders with the knowledge and skills to advocate for vaccination in their communities. These champions use schools, youth centers, and community events to share accurate information, counter myths, and encourage timely immunization.

2. Applying Human-Centered Design to Solve Barriers:

We train young people in Human-Centered Design (HCD) so they can identify local challenges to vaccination and co-create practical, community-driven solutions that increase uptake.

3.  School Outreach and HPV Vaccine Promotion

We conduct school outreach programs to educate adolescents about the importance of immunization, including the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. By working closely with educators, we help ensure that eligible students receive the vaccine on time.

4. Leveraging Digital Communication

We use the YAhealth App, social media, and other digital platforms to share reminders, educational content, and success stories. These tools help reach families wherever they are, including those in remote areas, with timely and reliable vaccination information.