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Fighting a Global Virus at Local Level

March 15, 2022

It is estimated that 4 in 10 Nigerians are unwilling to take the COVID -19 vaccine. This problem is exacerbated by several complex and context-specific factors. Misinformation, misconceptions, illiteracy, ignorance, limited supplies, and logistical issues all contribute to the country’s burden. However, the single most significant factor preventing Nigeria from achieving optimal immunisation rates is vaccine hesitancy – the delay in accepting or refusing vaccines – despite the availability of these services. 

It could be another 202 days before we reach a 10% vaccination target. 

Based on the latest statistics, it is fair to say that Nigeria may not meet its 50% immunisation coverage goal by the end of March 2022. At the time of writing this, 16,386,339 people had received their first vaccination. Only 6,878,770 have welcomed their second dose. While these numbers seem considerable, they are only a drop in the ocean, considering Nigeria is one of the most populous countries with more than 213 million people. Other issues related to access to health care are also of concern: access to testing is poor, and in some cases, positive test results escape official records, meaning that the extent of the pandemic in Nigeria is likely underreported.

These factors are a major concern in our fight against COVID -19.

PSHAN knows that the best way to tackle these issues is by understanding our communities, listening to their perspectives and their fears, and finding the best way to move the needle forward.

This year, we launched two key initiatives to address these issues from the ground up.

COVID-19 AWARENESS PROJECT (CAP)

The economic and health implications of the pandemic provide the backdrop for the COVID -19 Awareness Project. The increase in COVID -19 cases, exacerbated by lockdowns, and the impact of the disease on our economy and the world are signals that no one is invincible against this disease.
  • Advocate for the urgent need for resilient and robust health systems that provide comprehensive care for vulnerable people and those in precarious situations.
  • Raise awareness, information sharing, quality education, advocacy, scientific evidence and best practices related to epidemics at local, regional, national and global levels as effective measures to prevent and respond to epidemics/pandemics.
  • Support government activities in educating the public and advocate for the introduction of the Covid-19 vaccine in Nigeria through various health promotion campaigns.
  • Create awareness on how to prevent and respond to future pandemics/epidemics.

The Covid Awareness Project will air every week for 12 months, with internal and external guests from the Alliance and health sector speaking on various topics to raise awareness of Covid-19.

COVID-19 VACCINE HESITANCY ASSESSMENT IN NIGERIA (VHAN)

Given that vaccine hesitancy depends on context-specific factors, these factors must be understood and considered in risk communication interventions. The COVID -19 Vaccine Hesitancy Assessment in Nigeria study seeks to understand the characteristics and barriers to COVID -19 vaccination uptake among Nigerians. Our intention is that the study results will serve as a basis for policymakers to scale up and deploy COVID -19 and other vaccination campaigns.

Framework:

  • The C-19 VHAN will use mixed methods of demographic surveys and qualitative methods (e.g., focus group discussions and in-depth interviews) to conduct an assessment of COVID -19 vaccine hesitancy in Nigeria. 
  • This is a cross-sectional study conducted in one state in each of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
  • The information obtained from the study will help Nigerian public health stakeholders develop education campaigns and other interventions to increase immunization coverage based on social idiosyncrasies.
  • The study will explore opportunities to integrate the COVID -19 vaccine into the routine immunization schedule from a user perspective to help NPHCDA and other vital stakeholders improve uptake of the COVID -19 vaccine.

Upon completing the study, we will execute a grassroots behavioural change campaign (involving town hall meetings and community outreaches) to ensure grassroots uptake of vaccines in the states where the study will be conducted.

Overall, this study is expected to contribute to the strengthening of the immunization/vaccination service delivery component of Nigeria’s primary health system. 

We have set out to do no small task, but we are determined to eliminate the fears and misinformation surrounding COVID -19 and move the country and its people forward. We believe that we can impact the lives of millions of Nigerian citizens and ultimately change the statistics through our collective efforts. 

If you would like to help us address the issues surrounding COVID -19 in Nigeria, please get in touch. 

Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria

6th Floor, Zenon House, 2 Ajose Adeogun, Victoria Island, Lagos

Communications@pshan.org

+234 (01) 4544024

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