Barbers lead immunisation drive in UP

In Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, it is barbers who have been chosen to spread awareness about the need for immunisation programmes. Barbers, being regular visitors to families be it the occasion of birth, marriage, or death, were picked by an NGO in Sitapur to spread the message.

About 120 barber shops in six blocks of Sitapur, including Reusa, Sanda, Pisawan, Machreta, Parsendi and Biswan, are

Around 120 barber shops in Sitapur display material on the need for immunisation, designed by agencies

now displaying the promotional material designed by partner agencies about the need for immunisation.

“In rural India, barbers play a role after the birth of a child during the ‘mundan’ and then the ‘Janeu’ (thread) ceremony. They work as match-makers during weddings and also participate in post death rituals,” said Dr P.K. Singh, the district immunisation officer.

“They enjoy the confidence of families and enjoy access into households. We felt that we could use their services to spread awareness,” he added.

He said that stickers, posters and aprons were given to barbers, and their rate cards carried information on eight vaccines every child should be administered till the age of two. Hepatitis B, BCG, Poliovirus pentavalent and measles vaccine are included in the programme.

He said “In villages, mostly every man goes to a barber shop. If they get information about the need for immunisation, they would encourage the women in the family to get the babies vaccinated,” he explained.

Catholic Relief Services programme coordinator Parul Ratna said that barbers were trained under the initiative in AugustSeptember last year.