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Professor Oladimeji Bolarinwa of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) has urged the federal government to prioritise meaningful community engagement as a strategy to combat vaccine hesitancy across the country.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ilorin, Prof Bolarinwa described vaccine hesitancy as a persistent threat to public health in Nigeria, despite the availability of immunisation services. He noted that immunisation coverage remains inadequate, signalling the need for more effective and locally relevant interventions.
He stressed that tailored, evidence-based strategies informed by research within communities are vital to improving vaccine acceptance and demand.
“Community leaders are the gatekeepers, often neglected, least researched, yet most important,” he said.
Prof Bolarinwa defined vaccine hesitancy as the refusal to be vaccinated despite the availability of vaccines and called for proactive and early involvement of communities in public health initiatives. He emphasised that working with trusted figures within communities could significantly improve health outcomes.
Beyond vaccine hesitancy, he also called on the government to pursue local production of drugs and vaccines as a way to reduce dependence on foreign imports. He encouraged Nigeria to learn from Egypt’s pharmaceutical model, which emphasises self-sufficiency through domestic manufacturing.
He further highlighted the need to foster public trust in locally produced medicines by creating awareness through grassroots networks. According to him, public support for local pharmaceuticals would bolster national health security and improve supply chain resilience.
Finally, Prof Bolarinwa recommended that governments at all levels develop sustainable financing plans, maximise the use of available tools, and invest in human capacity to confront major health challenges effectively.
