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Communiqué Issued at the end of a Two Days Training Workshop for COVID-19 Vaccine Champions in Kano state
Preamble
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from MacArthur Foundation organized a two-day training workshop for eighteen COVID-19 Vaccine Champions selected from Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Kogi, Kaduna and Kano states.
The training was held on 13th and 14th of December, 2021 in Kano state. The training was organized to prepare the participants to enlighten the public on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and counter fake narratives and misconceptions around the virus and its vaccine.
Some of the areas the participants were trained on included the following: Understanding COVID-19 Pandemic: National and Global Perspectives, Understanding Fake Narratives around COVID-19, Understanding Social Media-Based Campaign: Deploying the Right Tools, Understanding the Functions and Variations of the Vaccines, Crafting the Message, Understanding Vaccine Safety and Efficacy, Monitoring and Countering Misinformation, Disinformation and Fake News around Vaccines, How Best to Counter Misconceptions around COVID: Leveraging the Medical Justifications, etc.
During the workshop, numerous hindrances to COVID-19 vaccine administration in northern Nigeria were generated and deliberated upon. Prominent among the hindrances and challenges highlighted as stated as follows:
1. Low of awareness on the COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and safety
2. Lack of information on COVID-19 vaccine accessibility
3. Misconception on fear of adverse effects related to the vaccine
4. Circulation of fake narratives around COVID-19 and the vaccine
5. Lack of trust between the Government and the citizenry
6. Limited information on the different types of vaccine and their functions
7. People’s negative perception on the COVID-19 vaccine
In order to address the challenges and hindrances to COVID-19 administration in northern Nigeria and ensure uptake of the virus, the umbrella of the COVID-19 Vaccine Champions recommends the following:
1. Mass public enlightenment on the vaccine
2. Provision of sufficient information on vaccine administration spots
3. Use of local language in enlightening the public on the vaccine
4. Door to door campaigns to sensitize individuals at grassroot levels
5. Public awareness campaign through all forms of media
6. Educating the public on fake narratives about the vaccine
7. Countering social media-based misconceptions on COIVD and the vaccine
8. Engaging stakeholders on sensitization at various levels using different approaches
Conclusion:
COVID-19 vaccine is real. Doubts and fake news being circulated on the vaccine can only increase infections and worsen situation.
We therefore want to end by kindly advising people who are yet to take vaccine to go and get vaccinated as getting vaccinated is a step towards staying safe.
Signed:
Hamza Ibrahim–Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)
Hauwa Kabir Lawal——————— Plateau state
Jamila Musa Kano state————- Kano state
Abdullahi Barau Azare—————- Bauchi state
Bishop Joseph Aturu——————Kogi state
Abdulkadir Ashafa———————Kaduna state
Kwaplki Peter Uba———————-Borno state
