The Nigerian Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) says it is committed to expanding access to vaccines through building community confidence in vaccination.
Dr Fejiro Chinye- Nwoko, General Manager/CEO NSSF in a press statement said to the NSSF would be hosting a webinar on Building Community Confidence in Vaccines in June 2023.
Chinye-Nwoko said that the webinar would bring together experts and stakeholders to share insights and strategies for building community confidence in vaccines, tackling vaccine hesitancy, and improving vaccination rates.
According to her, NSSF is not only committed to expanding access to vaccines in Nigeria but also to ensure that everyone has accurate information and access to vaccines.
“Building community confidence in vaccines is critical to expanding access to vaccines in Nigeria and improving public health outcomes,” Chinye-Nwoko said.
She noted that as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact Nigeria, expanding access to vaccines has become a top priority for the government.
She said that, despite the efforts of health authorities, vaccine hesitancy remains a major obstacle to achieving herd immunity.
Chinye-Nwoko who noted that misinformation is one of the key drivers of vaccine hesitancy explained that “social media and other channels can spread false information about vaccines quickly, leading people to doubt their safety and effectiveness.”
She thereafter noted that “to counter this, it is crucial to provide accurate information about vaccines and their benefits.
“To achieve this, the Nigerian government has been collaborating with local organizations and community leaders to promote accurate information about vaccines.
“This includes public awareness campaigns and targeted outreach to areas with low vaccination rates.
“Health workers have also been trained to provide accurate information about vaccines and answer any questions patients may have,” Chinye-Nwoko said.
She said that another way to build community confidence in vaccines was through community engagement.
The GM said that engaging with local communities and understanding their concerns could help to build trust and increase vaccination rates.