Kelechi Onyeaka has been supporting disease-prevention strategies and policies for many years in different countries. Serving as a Public Health Educator for Missouri Immunization Coalition (MIC), he aids the organization’s efforts to reduce the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases by providing statewide training and programs that promote vaccine uptake. His efforts also include creating and distributing promotional and educational resources to support Local Public Health Agencies, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and small rural and critical access hospitals to encourage vaccination among diverse audiences.
Before joining MIC, Kelechi was a Fellow at the Community Health Center, in Connecticut, where he worked on improving healthcare services to underserved populations. In addition, he has international experiences that enhance access to Human Immunodeficiency Virus services among the general and most at-risk population in the Nigerian Public Health sector. One of his most rewarding career accomplishments is his contribution to improving access to routine immunization for children in Nigeria. This effort led Nigeria to be declared polio-free by the World Health Organization.
“We as individuals owe our communities the duty to ensure a healthy community by getting vaccinated against any vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines are safe and save lives,” says Kelechi Onyeaka.
In addition to his work experience, Kelechi has co-authored academic papers in peer-reviewed journals on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among African Americans and the role of health promotion programs in improving the well-being of African Americans in Mid-Missouri.
Kelechi holds a master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Missouri, Columbia, where he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Health and Rehabilitation Science with an emphasis on public health.