05/05/2026
In line with the Government of Sierra Leone’s 300 Days of Activism for the Triple Zero Agenda, the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), in collaboration with the Health Education Program, Directorate of Reproductive and Child Health, Directorate of Food and Nutrition and Directorate of Primary Health Care, and partners Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance,UNICEF Sierra Leone,convened a one-day Training of Trainers (ToT) on 5th May 2026 at the Vanilla Complex, Aberdeen. The training brought together national supervisors in preparation for the nationwide rollout of the Community Health Workers (CHWs) orientation across all 16 districts, with the aim of strengthening community-level systems that support routine immunization and primary health care services.
During the session, key areas of focus included the updated Routine Immunization schedule, identification and referral of zero-dose and defaulter children, effective use of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook, basic response to Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI), and strategies for addressing rumours and vaccine hesitancy within communities.
Community Health Workers remain central to bridging the gap between households and health facilities, and strengthening their capacity is critical to improving immunization uptake, reducing zero-dose children, and building trust in health services, ultimately contributing to the achievement of the Triple Zero targets and ensuring that no child or mother is left behind.
