By Zayamu Hassan
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has called on Christian leaders to use their pulpit to preach against rumours and misinformation on the COVID-19 vaccines.
Speaking at a meeting with Christian leaders in Abuja, Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, regretted that misinformation and rumours are circulated among few of the Christian community.
He, however, said that in an effort to ensure all Nigerians get vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, his agency, has introduce Sunday vaccination exercise.
The aim is to target Christians who could not get vaccinated during the week to do so considering that most Christians go to church on Sundays.
“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,” he said.
While saying that the meeting was to equip the faith community with credible information on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, Shuaib said: “I am glad to inform you that from this Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out, we have introduced Sunday Vaccination.
“This is to ensure members of the Christian community who may not have had access to the vaccine for whatever reason are given an opportunity to be vaccinated at their worship places.
“I must say that feedback from the field is very encouraging and I sincerely thank all Christian leaders who have given the vaccination team access to their churches and their members to receive COVID-19 vaccine during Sunday service,” Dr Shuaib said.
He further charged Nigerians to remember that even after vaccination “you need to continue to observe all COVID-19 prevention protocols including wearing face masks, maintaining hand hygiene and observing physical distancing until the country vaccinates all eligible population and achieves herd immunity.”
On his part, the Executive Director, Nigeria Inter Faith Action Association, Dr. Sunday Onuorah, called on Christian leaders to partner with the government in promoting acceptance of the vaccine.
He noted that faith leaders were in position to address misinformation while enhancing public health impact.
“We are here because we know that faith leaders have the capacity and authority to effect a change of mind and drive acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines.
“The Church and all faith communities will partner with the Federal government to make Nigerian great.
“We succeeded with polio, malaria and we will succeed in this time of COVID-19,” he said.
