The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo, has reaffirmed the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Mulombo emphasised combating vaccine misinformation during a journalists’ workshop in Abuja. He highlighted WHO’s rigorous approval process for vaccines. He urged accurate information sharing to ensure public trust in vaccination.
Vaccines Undergo Rigorous Review Process
Mulombo highlighted that WHO rigorously reviews vaccine efficacy through its Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation. He assured participants that every vaccine undergoes this thorough review process. This ensures vaccines are safe and effective before public distribution. This comes as Nigeria prepares to introduce the malaria vaccine into routine immunisation.
Nigeria to Introduce Malaria and HPV Vaccines
Nigeria is set to include the malaria vaccine in its national immunisation programme, following the successful introduction of the single-dose Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in October 2023. Mulombo encouraged journalists to support public awareness campaigns by disseminating accurate information and debunking harmful rumours about vaccines.
Misinformation: A Violation of Human Rights
Mulombo also called out the spread of vaccine misinformation, labelling it a human rights violation. He argued that misinformation prevents communities from accessing life-saving tools, contributing to high maternal and child mortality rates. “Misinformation spread without verification is a human rights violation,” he stated, adding that access to universal vaccination is a basic human right.
Improving Nigeria’s Health Sector
The WHO representative emphasised Nigeria must advance beyond pilot health projects and prioritise delivering high-quality, large-scale healthcare services. He urged the government to collaborate with communities in addressing critical health sector challenges. Mulombo specifically highlighted the importance of improving maternal and child health. He called for immediate collective action to strengthen healthcare services nationwide.
Collective Action Needed
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Mulombo called for collective action from all stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare system. He emphasised that tackling misinformation and ensuring access to universal vaccination will significantly reduce maternal and child mortality rates, improving the overall health of the population.
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