Are the benefits of vaccination exceeding it's dangers in Nigeria

In this information age, where doubt often rules supreme, the discussion over the safety and effectiveness of vaccines in Nigeria is still very heated. Even though there is a lot of scientific proof and a lot of scientific agreement, Nigerians still fear possible risks because of false information and lack of trust. This article looks at both sides of the important talk about vaccinations to answer the question, "Do the benefits really outweigh the possible risks?"

Getting vaccine has been seen as an important part of the Nigeria public health because it helps stop and control dangerous diseases in Nigeria. Even though vaccines have saved millions of lives and helped get rid of many diseases, Nigerians are still worried about the risks and side effects. In this study, we look into the difficult topic of vaccinations and ask ourselves if the benefits of vaccination really outweigh the risks.

The benefits of vaccination are undeniable and far-reaching

Vaccination is one of the best thing that Nigerians have done to stay healthy. It works by sending the body weaker or dormant strains of a virus or bacteria. This makes the body build defence without actually getting the disease. People and society are both safe because of this "controlled exposure" that keeps infections that could be fatal at bay. Vaccinations have been one of the best and most cost-effective ways to improve public health in history. Once a worldwide pandemic, diseases like smallpox were eradicated in Nigeria via mass vaccination schemes. Another terrible illness, polio, is almost fully eliminated because of intensive immunisation efforts. Vaccines have become the major line of defence against viruses that cause death, like COVID-19 and influenza. The success of vaccines is clear because they have stopped the spread of infectious diseases and greatly decreased death rates.

Addressing the Safety Concerns and Criticisms

Vaccination, especially Vaccinating Childern is not a completely risk-free medical process. Although common, mild side effects including heat or pain at the injection site are generally transient. Though the overwhelming data shows that their hazards are substantially smaller than the dangers offered by the diseases they avoid, rare and major adverse responses can nevertheless occur. Exaggerated statements and false information that circulate over social media and online echo chambers can feed worries. Extensive scientific research constantly refutes these misconceptions, yet their enduring effect erodes public faith in immunisation initiatives. Vaccine scepticism and hesitation continue despite these victories. Some Nigerians are sceptical because they are worried about possible side effects, which can range from minor reactions to rare but serious issues. One example of a belief that has continued in popular discourse and contributed to vaccine reluctance is the link between the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine and autism, which has been refuted in a scientific study by WHO.

The Benefits of Herd Immunity

The idea of herd immunity is among the most important side effects of immunisation. The spread of a disease is greatly inhibited when a sizable segment of the population is immune to it, either as a result of vaccination or previous infection. This promotes the general wellbeing of the community in addition to protecting Nigerians who cannot receive vaccinations, such as those with special medical conditions.

Real world Instances

A moving modern illustration of the benefits of immunisation is the COVID-19 pandemic. The creation and use of vaccines, such those created by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, has been crucial in halting the virus's spread and reducing the risk of fatalities and serious illness. High immunisation rates have been associated with a decrease in hospital admissions and deaths, showing the significant positive effects of mass immunisation on population health.

Furthermore, the HPV vaccine has proven to be incredibly effective in preventing cervical cancer, which is forth the most common cancer in women globally with around 660 000 new cases and around 350 000 deaths in 2022 according to WHO. HPV vaccination is a good example of how vaccinations have the ability to both stop the spread of infectious diseases and prevent related cancers by addressing the underlying cause of cervical cancer.

The terrible measles outbreak in Europe in 2017–2018, which was exacerbated by vaccine hesitancy, serves as a sobering warning of the disastrous effects of falling vaccination rates. 93 fatalities from measles infections that affected over 82,000 Nigerians underlined the vulnerability of herd immunity and the significance of mass vaccination campaigns.

In our opinion the benefits of vaccination exceed it's dangers in Nigeria