COVID-19: Harnessing traditional, religious leaders in addressing vaccine apathy

Apathy towards COVID-19 vaccination is still a major problem in Nigeria.  One of the major drivers of this, is the many rumours , and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines. Prof. Umaru A. Pate, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State said , “Our communities are highly vulnerable to believing fake information and even […]

Apathy towards COVID-19 vaccination is still a major problem in Nigeria.  One of the major drivers of this, is the many rumours , and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines.

Prof. Umaru A. Pate, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State said , “Our communities are highly vulnerable to believing fake information and even more on the sources and prevalence of the virus and its treatment.”

Speaking during a two day media dialogue on demand creation for COVID-19 vaccines organized by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Child Rights Information Bureau of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in Kano , he said debunking the loads of fake information about COVID-19 vaccination should be multifaceted.

He said it should include active leadership involvement at all levels and community engagement among others.

Traditional rulers and religious leaders play very critical roles in mobilizing their communities and congregations.

Experts say their roles could be harnessed in tackling hesitancy and apathy towards COVID-19 vaccination.

According to Prof Idris Mohammed, a professor of medicine and immunology, and a foremost scholar in infectious diseases, traditional and religious leaders can play roles in the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines.

Mohammed who is also a past chief medical director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) said hesitancy and resistance to vaccination has been in the country for a very long time, as witnessed for polio and meningitis vaccination.

“So that is what has been extended over time to COVID-19 vaccines,” he said.

He said in Gombe state, the COVID-19 response team, gathered all traditional rulers and ensured they were among the first to be sensitized about COVID-19 vaccination because they could also through their roles drive hesitancy and resistance from the public.

He said when they are fully enlightened and engaged,  they help rather than mar the process.

He narrated how a particular traditional ruler had initially raised alarm that every process to vaccinate people in the state should be halted because he read somewhere that  COVID-19 vaccines have side effects.

Mohammed said the religious leader also tried to influence other traditional rulers and the public against COVID-19 vaccination.

He said, “there was also an  islamic cleric who was very resistant and said he was never going to recommend COVID-19 vaccination.

“But luckily for us, he was invited to Saudi Arabia for a seminar and one of the conditions was that he should show evidence of COVID-19 vaccination. So he had to submit himself for vaccination twice.

“One day, I went to the mosque and somebody said the Imam was calling me , so I went to see him, and he said ‘professor that vaccine is very safe. I took it and see I have no problem at all.’ he later helped in mobilizing people for vaccination.

“So, resistance to vaccination is based on ignorance and conspiracy theories because when we introduced meningitis vaccine too, they said there was HIV in it and that it can cause family planning.”

Experiences of traditional, religious leaders in mobilizing people for COVID-19 vaccination

President of Seventh Day Adventist Church, South South/South East geo-political zone, Pastor Bassey Udoh told the reporter that religious leaders play crucial roles in COVID-19 vaccination through leading by example.

Narrating the role he played in mobilizing his congregation, he said, “the first thing I did was to be vaccinated, and I sent the photos to our entire WhatsApp platforms across the states in Nigeria.

“Our members sent it to the various women, men and youth organizations of the church, as well as to pastors. Many people spiritualized it,  but I told them it is not true.

“I invited all my leaders in the states and we posted the pictures for our people to see that we and our families have been vaccinated, and are alive.

“Leadership is by example. I discovered the moment I took it, many of our members across the country began to do so.

“The next thing we did in helping the vaccination process is  to work with primary health care facilities, and gotthem to visit our churches and announce to members the days they are coming for vaccination. So  the people gathered there on those days. So we make it very easy for people to come and be vaccinated, and also enlightened them.

“The truth remains that it is safer to get vaccinated than to be infected and die. We have also told our people to observe COVID-19 protocols. We announced and made it almost a norm in all our churches and this is done very strictly. You don’t enter, except you comply; washing of hands, face mask, and other measures.

“The Bible says ‘I wish for all things that you prosper and be in good health even as the soul prospereth, so people should not spiritualize vaccination. It is not the mark of the beast. The Bible requires us to be in good health.”

Pastor Udoh called on religious leaders not to spiritualise COVID-19 vaccination but support government efforts in protecting the citizens.

President, Vision of Africa, and Executive Director, Nigerian InterFaith Action Association, Bishop Sunday Onuoha said after sensitization meetings, religious leaders go back with the messages to their people, because people are bound to raise questions.

“I was vaccinated myself, and pictures were taken to show that what I am saying is what I am doing ; and that  vaccination is okay,” he added.

Emir of Argungu, Kebbi state and chairman of the northern traditional leaders committee on primary health care, Alhaji  Samaila Muhammadu Mera,  said the committee has  been enlightening Nigerians on COVID-19 vaccines.

He said as a result, most districts and village heads in his community have taken their jabs.

Also speaking during a recent sensitization exercise for christian leaders  in Abuja,  Executive-Director of the  National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib said a few rumours and misinformation in the faith community was responsible for refusal of some Nigerians to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said, “One of the challenges to our collective desire to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic is rumour and misinformation, including among a few in the Christian community. This has resulted in vaccine hesitancy across all states of the federation, a behaviour which puts the lives of individuals and our communities at great risk.

“This is to equip the faith community with credible information on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.”

UNICEF representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins said for total eradication of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination must be taken very seriously.

“Immunization is not only critical for children but also for adults. COVID-19 vaccines are the only way out of the pandemic. It is safe. It is effective and the best way to bring Nigeria back into normalcy,” he said during a briefing by NPHCDA.

Dr Geoffrey Njoku , UNICEF Communication Specialist said the Kano media dialogue  was aimed at supporting government’s drive for COVID-19 vaccination. He said the objectives include demand creation for the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, allaying fears of anarchists and conspiracy theories about the safety of the vaccines, and advocacy to government at all levels to provide logistic and operation support for the delivery of vaccines.