Boosting immunization among the brick-kiln communities of Kolkata

Kolkata’s densely-populated wards 140 and 141 of Metiabruz, home to nearly 30 000 people, includes migrant families living in 20 high-risk slums and eight brick kiln settlements. Immunization coverage here had stalled at around 57%. Misinformation, fear of adverse effects, and the constant movement of migrant workers meant many children were either partially vaccinated or not vaccinated at all. After the detection of vaccine-derived poliovirus in 2022 and measles-rubella outbreaks the same year, the urgency to act was heightened.

With support from WHO National Public Health Support Network (NPSN), the local health department launched a focused health camp initiative in 2025 that went beyond setting up vaccination booths. Teams began by mapping high-risk pockets and identifying vaccine-hesitant households. Frontline workers and partners stepped in to build trust, going door-to-door, addressing concerns, and informing and preparing families ahead of the camps.

ASHA workers conducted house-to-house headcount surveys and prepared ‘due lists’ of children who had missed age-appropriate vaccination doses (©WHO India/Mominuddin Sardar

Following this, two health camps were organized across five brick-kiln sites. Health-care workers, supported by doctors, provided counselling and basic services, including immunization, antenatal care and family planning. The idea was simple: bring health-care closer to where people live and make it relevant.

The response was encouraging. Around 200 families attended. Of the 91 children due for vaccines, 85 received all required doses—achieving 93.4% coverage. All five identified “zero-dose” children—those who had never received a single vaccine—were vaccinated. Measles-rubella (MR) vaccination coverage was also high, with MR-1 (MR first dose) at 92.9% and MR-2 (MR second dose) reaching 100%. The camps served 207 people, including 51 children under five. Thirteen children completed full immunization at the camps.

Supported by doctors, health workers provided counselling and basic services, including immunization, antenatal care and family planning at the health camps (©WHO India/Mominuddin Sardar)

Progress, however, doesn’t always come in sweeping changes—sometimes, it begins with just one vaccine at a time. Vaccine hesitancy—rooted in fear, rumours, and cultural beliefs—remained a barrier for some families Metiabruz, which led to four children from vaccine-hesitant households getting vaccinated during the camps.

Still, the initiative showed what is possible. By combining data-driven planning with community engagement, even the hardest-to-reach populations can be brought into the fold. The plan now is to continue bi-monthly camps, strengthen follow-up visits, and deepen communication efforts tailored to hesitant families.