Experts aim to eradicate vaccine-related misconceptions.
Nigerians should rely on validated medical information and report bad vaccine reactions through the appropriate channels, according to health experts who have cautioned that the increasing dissemination of vaccine disinformation poses a severe threat to public health.
During a webinar hosted by the Wuraisgold Charity Foundation on Thursday, the experts emphasized the need of promoting evidence-based health decisions and fighting false information.
With the topic "Immunization Truth: Separating Fact from Fiction," the virtual event brought together community people, media activists, and public health experts to dispel myths about vaccines and advance scientific realities.
Nigeria ranked second globally in 2021 with over 2.3 million zero-dose children, or 26.5% of children under one, according to the 2022 World Universal Immunization Coverage Report.
One of the best methods to shield kids from potentially fatal but avoidable illnesses including measles, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis is through routine immunization.
The National Programme on Immunisation in Nigeria advises that children be vaccinated beginning at birth and continuing for the first year of life. Usually, these vaccinations are given away for free at public health facilities and during recurring awareness campaigns.
However, according to the World Universal Immunization Coverage Report, the startlingly high percentage of youngsters in the nation who are not vaccinated continues to be a major worry.
Reacting to the misconception responsible for vaccination reluctance in the country at the virtual event, a public health expert, Dr Olayinka Ilesanmi, condemned the development in false narratives around immunisation, particularly on social media.
He clarified that although minor side effects like fever or edema are possible with immunizations, significant adverse responses are quite uncommon and treatable with medicine.
"Vaccines undergo a rigorous 10- to 15-year development, testing, and approval process by international health regulators such as the FDA and WHO."
"We need to put an end to the scare tactics and concentrate on the realities. "One of the best instruments we have to save lives is a vaccine," Ilesanmi stated.
He emphasized the significance of openness and ongoing monitoring to foster confidence in vaccines and urged the public to notify health authorities of any suspected adverse reactions rather than disseminating unsubstantiated rumors.
Mr. Sunday Oko, a media and health advocate, attributed the general reluctance to get vaccines to the unrestrained dissemination of false information during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, a lot of Nigerians were duped by widely circulated conspiracy ideas that lacked scientific support.
Online noise was excessive, and a lot of it was harmful. According to Oko, health communication must be grounded in facts rather than fear.
He praised organizations such as the Wuraisgold Charity Foundation for their responsible use of social media by disseminating verifiable infographics and counter-narratives that refute false information.
By publishing only reliable health content and disclosing false information, Oko encouraged participants to take the initiative.
Earlier, Mrs. Wuraola Jackson, the CEO of the Wuraisgold Charity Foundation, emphasized the need of providing correct health information to empower the community.
She said that because false information may spread quickly in the current digital era, it is crucial to rely on evidence-based knowledge, especially when it comes to life-saving treatments like immunisation.
"We are honored to host this important discussion on behalf of Wuraisgold Charity Foundation, which is in line with our objective to empower communities and advance access to accurate health information," she continued.
