Maintaining and growing confidence in vaccination is an urgent public health issue. Research, development and communications around quality vaccines has been on the rise ever since.
The COVID-19 pandemic gave us all a glimpse into what the world looks like without vaccination.
Clinical trials and surveillance have shown that vaccines have a favorable safety and efficacy profile; yet, a reluctance or unwillingness to vaccinate, termed as “vaccine hesitancy,” threatens to reverse the progress gained in combating vaccine-preventable diseases.
To create and retain confidence in vaccines and support robust vaccination programs, coordinated activity is required at the global, regional, national, and local levels.
The proposed Nigeria Vaccine Confidence Round Table Discussion will examine available evidence, identify implementation gaps, and describe vaccine confidence priorities in Nigeria, with the goal of enhancing vaccination advocacy campaigns and rates for each group and identity in the country.
Vaccine confidence is essential for maintaining vaccination coverage rates and safeguarding our communities’ health.
Statistics show that there have been 355 million worldwide cases of COVID-19 that have resulted in 5.6 million deaths as of January 23rd, 2022.
These devastating figures led to invention of SARS Cov2 vaccine in 2021.
More research has shown as at January 2022, 84% of Canadians have had at least one dose of the vaccine, 78% are fully vaccinated and 35% have received their booster dose. However, only about 10% of Nigerians have gotten one dose and 4.6% have been vaccinated.
In a perfect, limitlessly resourced world, we would have the opportunity to craft specific campaigns for each community in Nigeria.
The vaccine is available to all, and personal doctors would administer it and assure the people of its efficacy.
But, that perfect world does not exist.
Thus, the need to work with partners to strengthen public trust in vaccines is stronger than ever.
We need to sit together to explore the factors responsible for vaccine hesitancy and proffer context specific solutions for vaccine education campaigns in Nigeria.
Together, we are establishing a commitment to foster strategic partnership and improve Nigeria’s vaccination rates.
The focus on vaccine education was emphasized by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) which set out its vision to vaccinate 70% of the eligible population by 2022.
The Nigeria Vaccine Education Round Table Discussions will bring together panelists consisting of policy experts, foundations, civil society organizations, community leaders and faith-based organizations.
On the panel will include
- Faisal Shuaib (NPHCDA),
- Professor Heidi Larson (CONVINCE -coalition focused on COVID vaccine hesitancy),
- Michael Fornwall (Merck for Mothers),
- Tijjani Mohammed (Advocacy and Communications- Nigeria),
- Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera (Emir of Argungu Chairman, Northern Traditional Leaders Committee NTLC),
- Bishop Sunday Onuoha (Nigerian Interfaith Action Association NIFAA) and
- Peter Hawkins (UNICEF Country Representative).
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This discussion is open to institutions and/or individuals working in COVID 19 response space battling with the challenges of vaccine hesitancy.
Those working in routine immunization space such as non-for-profit organizations, civil society organizations (Action Aid or Advocate Youth Initiative), faith-based organizations (Christian Rural and Urban Development Association of Nigeria and FOMWAN Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria) and healthcare workers in Nigeria.
We understand that vaccine confidence is key in ensuring high vaccination rates and saving lives. With this roundtable, we would:
- Review available research and global best practices that are instrumental to building COVID-19 vaccine confidence.
- Review COVID-19 vaccine advocacy programs in Nigeria
- Identify novel strategies for building COVID-19 vaccine confidence in Nigeria
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The NATIONAL PRIMARY HEALTHCARE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NPHCDA) and the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) cordially invite you to a virtual roundtable discussion on vaccine confidence in Nigeria, which will take place on March 7th, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
We would love for you to join us as this promises to be a very interactive session.
We would ask the questions, and as you listen, we will unveil the answers together.
Click on this link to register a spot >>> THE VACCINE EDUCATION ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
