The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an urgent communication intervention to prevent its spread in Nigerian tertiary institutions and to convince local people to willingly participate in the vaccine procedure, overcoming any fears or doubts they may have. Effectively reaching the intended audience requires utilizing the health message tool, and these health messages should be carefully created and structured to embody the characteristics of crisis communication, namely being informative, persuasive, and captivating. The study utilizes the Health Belief Model and Trans-theoretical Model of Behavior Change to demonstrate that information units in tertiary institutions have specific roles to fulfill to effectively reach all segments of the target audience with the message on COVID19 prevention and vaccination participation. These roles are outlined in a detailed media plan that is expected to be implemented by PR outfits as a guide to achieve communication goals. Based on the findings gathered from a survey conducted at four (4) Tertiary Institutions in Rivers State, Nigeria, this study suggests that communication is essential and health communication should not be disregarded as unimportant because it determines the strategies for survival. These tactics form the substance of health messages, which are specifically designed to promote changes in behavior and modifications to improve health within the boundaries of the institutions.
