Pedaling to Protect: A Community-Led Vaccination Story from Nouna, Burkina Faso
In the Boucle du Mouhoun region, community health workers reached isolated and displaced families by bicycle, traveling 10–15 km per day with vaccines carried in UNICEF-supported cold boxes. During the November 2025 campaign, one team alone vaccinated 1,499 children, helping the area reach 95% coverage despite insecurity and access constraints. By combining persistence, local trust, and community dialogue, frontline workers turned logistical barriers into a successful, community-driven response to protect children from polio.
In the Boucle du Mouhoun region of Burkina Faso, persistent insecurity makes access to essential healthcare both crucial and extremely difficult for isolated communities. The Nouna Health District, where this story takes place, is one of the most affected areas, facing major logistical challenges and hosting a significant population of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Historically, this situation has resulted in pockets of "zero-dose" children and suboptimal vaccination coverage rates, making the goal of polio eradication even more challenging.
To ensure that essential services continue to reach every family, the country implemented an innovative strategy during the Local Vaccination Days (JLV) against polio (coupled with JVA+) organized from November 7-10, 2025. This approach relies on trained and committed volunteers working directly at the heart of villages.
KONATE Mamou, a Community-Based Health Agent (ASBC) in the Nouna Health District, embodies this vital response. She is one of those who chose to overcome the obstacles.
Dedication in Motion and UNICEF's Crucial Support
In November 2025, for this crucial campaign, Mamou and her partner, TRAORE Boukary, volunteered for duty. Their mission was made possible through the logistical and strategic support of UNICEF, which supported the Social Mobilization and Communication (SBC) strategy and provided essential equipment.
Each day, they mount the bicycles provided and traverse the sandy paths of their village. The blue vaccine carrier, also provided by UNICEF to maintain the cold chain, is securely strapped to the back.
"We don't want to miss any child, wherever they are," Mamou confides with a smile full of determination.
The effort is immense: the Mamou/Boukary team covers an average of 10 to 15 km per day on isolated trails. Thanks to their commitment, they reach between 60 and 75 households and vaccinate approximately 150 children daily.
Their mission goes far beyond administering vaccine drops. Mamou takes the time to listen to each family, explain the importance of vaccination, and reassure parents, combating rumors with simple and convincing messages. She transforms hesitation into acceptance. "Many parents refused out of fear or lack of information. Today, they wait for us with confidence," she recounts proudly.
Health workers coordinate during a field supervision visit in Nouna, ensuring every child is counted and vaccinated. © UNICEF Burkina Faso
Mamou and Boukary travel 10–15 km daily by bicycle to bring polio vaccines to remote families in Nouna. © UNICEF Burkina Faso
Community health agents Mamou and Boukary prepare for their next household visit during the November 2025 polio campaign. © UNICEF Burkina Faso
Community Victory and Impact
Mamou and her partner's commitment is an example for the entire region. Their action has helped achieve the targets set for their area.
Their results are concrete:
- Thanks to her dedication and positive word-of-mouth, the vaccination coverage rate in Mamou's village and health area reached 95% during this JLV, demonstrating the effectiveness of the community approach supported by UNICEF.
- 1,499 children were vaccinated.
- She administered doses to 28 children from internally displaced families (IDPs), thus reaching the most vulnerable populations.
During a field supervision visit, the health promotion officer of the Nouna Health District praised their work, summarizing it with a powerful phrase:
"These community-based health agents pedal to vaccinate, but in reality, they pedal to protect."
For Mamou, her determination is a shared duty. "If the Regional Director of Health could brave the difficulties to come and launch the campaign in Nouna, we too must do our part," she affirms.
Each vaccination is considered "a victory for the entire community."
Key Message
Mamou's story illustrates the spirit of solidarity and the determination of agents to leave no child behind, even in the most hard-to-reach areas. She is the embodiment of hope, a true force of protection in daily life. The community approach, made possible through UNICEF's strategic and logistical support, reminds us that "by vaccinating a child, we protect an entire community, even in the face of the most acute insecurity."
Written by:
- DPV: Dr NEYA. N. Christelle, SOME Vouanda, Dr NANEMA. P. Cédric
- DRS Boucle du Mouhoun: Dr DIPAMA Didier, KABORE Kouliga, YAMEOGO Sylvestre
- DS Nouna: DR BAMA Roland, OUEDRAOGO Ibrahim, SAMBO Abou
- WHO Burkina: SESSOUMA Abdoulaye and SOME Antony
- UNICEF Burkina Faso: Dr KONE Moriba, KABORE Souka Robert and Bienvenu NGUEJIO