The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has revealed that misinformation and rumors from some faith leaders have contributed to vaccine hesitancy in the country.
The Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib disclosed this on Tuesday at the sensitisation of Christian leaders on the phase 2 COVID-19 vaccination and primary health care in Nigeria.
About six months after Nigeria commenced the vaccination of its citizens, more than 1.6 million eligible individuals have been fully vaccinated while over 4 million Nigerians have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines.
The Executive Director said although response to receiving the vaccine is increasing, the country is still battling with high rate of refusals due to rumours and misinformation.
He said faith leaders are great influence to their followers and some through their sermon and pronouncements have consciously discouraged their followers from getting vaccinated.
Faisal emphasized the importance of COVID-19 vaccine of which he said without it, lives of individuals and communities are at great risk.
The NPHCDA boss stressed that religious leaders must assist the government by mobilising their followers to take the vaccine so that Nigeria can conquer COVID-19 just like it did to Polio.
“The second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination roll out is currently ongoing across the country in all States and Local Government Areas. The vaccines are safe and are administered free of charge to all eligible persons 18 years and above.
“I would like to inform you that the AstraZeneca vaccine is now available to be administered as first dose as well as second dose for those who received their first dose during the 1st phase of the vaccine roll out which closed in July.
“I am glad to inform you that from this Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out, we have introduced Sunday Vaccination. This is to ensure members of the Christian community who may not have had access to the vaccine for whatever reason are given an opportunity to be vaccinated at their worship places.
“I must say that feedback from the field is very encouraging and I sincerely thank all Christian leaders who have given the vaccination team access to their churches and their members to receive COVID-19 vaccine during sunday service.
“I am glad to inform you that we continue to monitor for side effects of the vaccines and as it is common with all vaccines there have been reports of mild to moderate reactions. This is normal with any vaccination, and we are working with NAFDAC to keep a close watch on all of those who have been vaccinated for any unlikely case of serious adverse effect.
“I want to assure you that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health and NPHCDA is committed to providing safe, effective, and free vaccines to ensure that we stop the transmission of this deadly virus. We will sustain regular updates to critical stakeholders such as the Christian community through the Christian Association of Nigeria and other credible platforms” he added.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora noted that all the brands of the COVID-19 vaccines is very effective in the fight against COVID-19 including the Delta Varient which is the most dominant strain in Nigeria.
He said government is ready to bring in more vaccine for its citizens and urged eligible Nigerians who have not taken the vaccine to do so.
Executive Director, Nigerian Inter Faith Action Association, Bishop Sunday Onuoha in his remarks said whatever is done to address Covid-19 is not against the Christian doctrine.
He enjoined Christian leaders to always feed their members with the right information so that the battle against the pandemic is won.
Also, the Director General, National Orientation Agency, Garba Abari said the fight against COVID-19 is a collective one adding that his agency will use all its platfoms to ensure that the right information gets to it targeted audience.
