By Ebuanekpe Joy
The Edo State Ministry of Communication and Orientation in collaboration with the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), has held a one-day review of Non-Polio Supplemental Immunization Activities (NPSIA) on Friday, 15th November, 2024, at the Vichigate Hotel and Suites, Benin City.
The event convened media professionals, women-led civil society organizations (CSOs), and other relevant stakeholders to address challenges of vaccine uptake and to develop strategies aimed at improving immunization coverage across the State.
Delivering the keynote address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Desmond Agbama, emphasized the Edo State Government’s commitment to healthcare, saying it is a top priority under the State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo’s administration. He stressed the importance of collaboration in ensuring effective healthcare delivery and achieving full immunization coverage for children in the State.
The welcome address was delivered by the Director of Orientation, Mrs. Rose Imonikhe, who stated that strategic engagements was necessary to address parental apathy toward immunization. She called for robust community mobilization and communication efforts to encourage vaccine acceptance and to build public trust.
The State Immunization Officer, Mrs. Enogie Elfrida Omogun, presented an overview of the State’s immunization efforts. She highlighted achievements such as the introduction of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPVMAC) Multi-Age Cohort (MAC) vaccine as well as the integrated measles campaigns. She stated their challenges to include healthcare service disparities, government policies, funding constraints, amongst others.
The State Health Education Officer of the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDPHCDA), Mrs. Irene Uabor, represented by the Assistant Health Education Officer, Mr. Aideyan Gabriel, addressed the barriers to vaccine trust. She identified key challenges, such as misinformation, complacency among community gatekeepers and inadequate social mobilization. She emphasized the need to counter such rumors and build trust with accurate, credible information.
The Measles Consultant with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Dr. Icomiare Adebudo, underscored the necessity of vaccine uptake to protect public health.
The President of Joint National Association of Persons With Disability (JONAPWD), Edo State Chapter, Madam Ann Ojuigo, shared her personal story of living with the consequences of not receiving the polio vaccine, which according to her, has made her wheelchair-bound. She pledged to advocate for immunization to inspire others to embrace vaccines.
Similarly, the Social and Behavioural Change Specialist from the Lagos Field Office, Mrs. Akinola-Akinwole Aderonke, recommended the ‘5S’ strategy to combat vaccine misconceptions – Stop misinformation, Source credible data, Spread accurate messages, Share success stories, and Show trust through action.
Goodwill messages and commitments were delivered by various groups, media organizations and participants, including Rev. Mrs. Asemota Eniye of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria Women’s Wing (Edo State Chapter), Hajia Audi Userat Esohe of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations (Edo State Chapter), Mrs. Louisa Eikhomun Agbonkhese of Echoes of Women in Africa (Edo State Chapter), and Hon. Florence Gbinigie of the Forum of Nigerian Women in Politics (FONWIP), represented by Abiodun Taiwo.
Media organizations including the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), The Nigerian Observer , Raypower FM, amongst others, made commitments to continuously support vaccine advocacy through their various platforms.
Participants acknowledged challenges to vaccine acceptance, such as socio-cultural barriers, misinformation, poor attitudes among healthcare workers, and limited outreach in rural areas.
Prescribed solutions included involving CSOs in staff training and field monitoring, strengthening media collaborations, sensitizing men to support family immunization decisions, and improving storage facilities and healthcare accessibility in remote areas.
