Kano, Nigeria –
In a distressing revelation, Dr. Faisal Shuaibu, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, stated that over 80% of diptheria-related fatalities in Kano, Nigeria, involved individuals who had not received vaccination. The victims were primarily aged between 5 and 14 years.
Dr. Shuaibu further emphasized that the vaccination coverage in various states varies significantly, with some areas achieving a 71% rate while others fall below that threshold. This data underscores the critical importance of vaccination in preventing diseases like diptheria.
Dr. Shuaibu vehemently disapproved of misinformation circulating about vaccinations and encouraged Nigerians to disregard the baseless claims of pseudoscientists and unfounded rumors. He made a direct reference to previous false narratives surrounding vaccines, such as the debunked theory that the polio vaccine causes infertility.
Similar challenges have arisen with the COVID-19 vaccine, with unfounded claims of it causing death. Dr. Shuaibu urged Nigerians to work closely with the media to promote accurate information regarding immunization.
The Executive Director acknowledged that there are still gaps in public knowledge about vaccinations and reassured the public that vaccination would not be made mandatory, taking into account these concerns.
Diptheria has had a significant impact in Nigeria, with more than 14,000 reported cases of the disease. The states primarily responsible for 97% of these cases include Kano, Katsina, Borno, Yobe, and Jigawa.
Dr. Shuaibu took the opportunity to clarify that diptheria is unrelated to COVID-19. While diptheria is caused by bacteria, COVID-19 is caused by a virus. He attributed misinformation about this distinction to the actions of mischievous individuals spreading false narratives.
These statements were made during Dr. Shuaibu’s visit to a diptheria treatment center at the Murtala Muhammad Special Hospital in Kano, where he also commended the Kano government’s response to the disease.
