Media Orientation to Improve Childhood Vaccine Uptake and Address Parent and Caregivers Vaccine-related Anxiety: A Pilot Study

Vaccine hesitancy-defined as delayed acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability-remains a significant barrier to childhood immunisation uptake in Nigeria, a country with high zero-dose unvaccinated children. Several factors limit vaccine uptake, including poor awareness, misinformation, fear, anxiety and a perceived sense of conspiracy. Yet, a gap exists to address this urgent problem. The proposed study seeks to pilot the feasibility and acceptability of a novel co-produced media campaign intervention called ASSURed awareness campaign to encourage childhood vaccine uptakE (ASSURE) with parent-caregivers who are not or partially up to date with their child's vaccination. The ASSURE intervention is designed to encourage vaccine uptake and access, reduce vaccine hesitancy whilst addressing vaccine-related anxiety. The ASSURE intervention is low-intensity, lasting approximately 3-5-minute designed to raise awareness of the need for vaccination uptake and its implications for children, including their development and well-being whist addressing vaccine related anxiety and fears. The proposed study is also to pilot and test the instrument to determine effectiveness and cost effectiveness including the mechanism on why the intervention might potentially work.