COVID-19 : Rumors deprive 80,000 kids of vaccination

 

A total of 80,000 kids have not been vaccinated this year as the result of fake news and COVID-19 related rumors, Public Health officials say.

The figures were disclosed during the daily press briefing on COVID-19, at the Cameroon Health Emergency Operation Centre, on August 11 , 2020.

Since March 2020, when the first confirmed cases were reported in Cameroon, thousands of parents have turned their backs on the life-saving routine vaccination.

But the World Health Organization says vaccination prevents up to 3million deaths yearly.

Unfortunately, boycotting vaccination is not an isolated public health issue. COVID-19 rumors have also been reported to drastically  affect hospital consultations in Cameroon this year .

In spite of this unpleasant report, officials say the government still places a high premium on preserving public health.

Vaccination enlists as one of government’s policies to preserve human capital.  It’s been known to prevent deadly diseases, and reduce infant morbidity and mortality.

The rumors and fake news relating to treatment, a vaccine for COVID-19 and high death rates have seriously affected the Expanded Immunization Program

Why is Vaccination important?

Health experts say vaccination prevents complicated health related issues that are more dangerous than COVID-19.

Dr. Erick Tandi, Public health expert says 80,000 is too big a figure, for unvaccinated kids, accounted for by rumours and fake news , within the last 5 months. He calls on parents to hence endeavor to follow the vaccination calendar.

In relation to these unfounded assertions on the routine immunization program, he tells parents to take vaccines for the safety of their children.

“No authority will encourage wrongvaccines to be given to her population, because their kids are administered the same vaccine. So we are calling on all parents to really fall behind the vaccination calendar and leave no kid out”.

To prevent this situation from progressing, the experts also discourage the circulation of fake news which usually comes with serious consequences.

Kathy Neba Sina

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