The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has called on Nigerians to ignore the fake news constructed by Anti-vaccine Conspiracy Theorists
Dr. Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director of the agency who made this known at a press briefing in Abuja today said;
“As a rule of thumb, we endeavor not to join issues with individuals who would rather concoct misinformation that could negatively affect the health of citizens,” he explained.
TheFact Nigeria gathered that people were still skeptical of the covid-19 vaccines inspite of vaccination campaigns.
The NPHCDA boss cleared the air on a viral text message which purported that the United State (US) Supreme Court had cancelled universal vaccination, he said:
“The US Supreme Court has not ‘overturned universal vaccination’ – there is no record of such a case, and there is no such thing as ‘universal vaccination’ in the US. So this is another case of ‘Fake News’,” he explained.
Dr. Faisal also pointed out that similar claims that polio vaccines were intended to cause infertility and kill our children, were made in the past but today, many of the children who received polio vaccine have grown to adulthood, become parents and are fulfilling their various dreams.
No child in the country died of polio vaccination.
He explained that a vaccine was a reliable and proven tool for prevention and control of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 and assured that the Federal Government was very alert on the safety and efficacy of the vaccines being using in the country.
Speaking further, Dr. Shuaib lauded the efforts made by Godwin Obaseki, Edo State Governor in mobilising his people for mass acceptance of the covid-19 vaccines and encouraged other governors to do the same.
He added that phase 2 vaccination had commenced in 35 states plus the FCT and as at 30th August 2021, Nigeria had vaccinated 2,897,201 and 1,430,379 eligible persons with 1st and 2nd doses respectively across the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory.
“For clients who have not had any vaccination, the Moderna Vaccine is available and is being administered currently in all designated health facilities in the country, while those who have had their 1st dose of AstraZeneca vaccine are encouraged to visit their designated health facility to get their 2nd dose to be fully protected against all strains of the Corona virus,” Dr. Shuaib advised.
In his closing remarks, the Executive Director, NPHCDA appealed to health workers to remain steadfast in discharging their professional responsibility to Nigerians.
Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Country Representative appreciated the NPHCDA under the leadership of Dr. Faisal Shuaib on the improvement brought onto the Electronic Management of Immunization Data (EMID) to ease registration and profiling of clients, prior to vaccination and/or during vaccination.
This, he said would undoubtedly aid the availability of real-time data for action and showcasing to the global community, how COVID-19 response was improving technology for Primary Health Care (PHC) service delivery in Nigeria.
