Why are Nigerians hesitant to take the COVID-19 vaccine – A pharmacist explains why people are hesitant to take the COVID-19 vaccine

According to Pharmacist Abdullahi Galadima, Nigerians are hesitant to take the Covid-19 vaccine because information about the vaccine’s safety and efficacy is not readily available.
Galadima, the World Health Organization’s National Vaccine Security and Logistic Consultant, said this during a lecture to commemorate World Pharmacist Day, which was organized by the Pharmacist Society of Nigeria, Kaduna chapter with the theme “Pharmacist Always Trusted for Your Health.” He urged health workers and pharmacists to educate the public about the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.

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Pharm. Abdullahi Galadima, speaking on the topic “Building Public Trust in Vaccine Safety and Efficacy,” stated that “vaccine is the cheapest and most cost-effective way of addressing the disease.” It helps the body’s natural immunity to fight disease. Because the Covid-19 vaccine is a novel vaccine that was developed quickly and put into use in a short period of time, we should expect some skepticism. There will always be reservations about health issues, but when individual health workers who are expected to protect the vaccine’s integrity lack the necessary information or have ambiguous information, there will be problems.”

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Galadima, speaking on how to overcome vaccine apprehension so that all Nigerians can confidently take the Covid-19 vaccine, said, “There should be access to information, education, advocacy, and making it available to the people free.” The government should strengthen people’s capacity to ensure that they have access to vaccine information and the vaccine itself. The vaccine is both safe and beneficial, as well as effective. Every person should be confident in their ability to receive the vaccine. People should be open and free to take the vaccine when blood is given to reviving someone who has no idea what the blood contains or who gave the blood.”
Pharm. Aminu Kuba, who delivered the second lecture, titled “The Role of Pharmacists in Nigeria’s Immunisation Supply Chain Management,” said the immunization supply chain includes vaccine and cold chain management.
“The cooling effect that keeps the vaccine safe and effective is known as the cold chain. Vaccines are medicines, but they are very costly medicines.”
Pharm. Talatu Uwa Ebune, Chairman of the Pharmacists Society of Nigeria (PSN), said the Covid-19 vaccine is very safe and effective.

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“It has been tested and approved by NAFDAC, which is why it is being used by the general public. It is effective against polio and other diseases, and it has no side effects. “The government must educate and inform the public about the vaccine’s efficacy and safety,” he said.