Vaccine hesitancy is fast becoming a major public health obstacle in Nigeria, where anti-vaccine campaigns are undermining progress against infectious diseases and raising fears of prolonged outbreaks.
Health officials warn that the challenge is not limited to distrust among citizens.
Opposition to vaccination efforts is also coming from doctors, religious leaders, and even health workers—sparking alarm over the credibility of immunisation campaigns.
Speaking at the West African Health Organisation’s (WAHO) 2nd Lassa Fever International Conference in Abidjan, Dr. Elizabeth Hassan, a public health expert at Nigeria’s Department of Disease Control, described the situation as deeply concerning.
She revealed that even caregivers, who play a vital role in children’s well-being, often resist vaccines.
“Getting health workers on board is essential because they are the ones who can best educate the public about the importance of vaccines,” she stressed.
Dr. Hassan identified weak communication strategies, poor access to electronic media, and persistent myths and conspiracy theories as major factors driving hesitancy.
She added that education level and occupation strongly influence a person’s willingness to accept vaccines.
The implications, she warned, are far-reaching: weakened herd immunity, increased disease spread, heavier viral burden, and economic losses that undermine investments in vaccine development.
“Vaccine hesitancy could prolong pandemics and keep communities under restrictions,” she said.
Lassa fever highlights the stakes.
The virus kills an estimated 4,000 people annually in West Africa, costs economies around $110 million in lost productivity, and pushes health expenses up to $50 million. Experts caution that climate change could put millions more at risk.
To combat this, WAHO, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and ECOWAS health ministers have launched a Lassa Fever Coalition to accelerate regional action.
Experts say stronger community education remains key. Professor of Health Promotion at Université de Parakou in Benin, Dr. David Houeto, argued that building trust starts with grassroots education.
“When children go home, they repeat what they’ve learned. If we teach them vaccination is important, they will remind their parents every day,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of accurate birth rate data to ensure no child is left unvaccinated during campaigns.
Dr. Hassan emphasised that combating misinformation requires replacing falsehoods with accurate, timely information.
She warned that coercion fuels suspicion, while community engagement can be a game-changer.
“We are sensitising religious and traditional leaders, and using insights from formative research and rapid surveys to design HPV vaccine messages tailored to different audiences and contexts,” she explained.
She added that draft communication materials are being prepared in English, Pidgin, and selected local languages, while stakeholders are being trained to monitor social media and communities to quickly counter rumours and misinformation.
The four-day conference, organised by WAHO in partnership with regional and international collaborators, comes at a critical moment as West Africa faces growing threats from viral diseases, with vaccine hesitancy emerging as one of the biggest hurdles in the fight to protect lives.
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