Kwara Govt. denies rumours on unsafe vaccines administered on children
By Muyideen Aliyu
The Kwara State Government has denied rumours circulating across the state that vaccines being administered to children across local government areas are unsafe, reaffirming its commitment to a safe and effective immunisation programme.
The state government strongly debunked the misleading claims, particularly those spreading on social media, that vaccines administered to children are harmful.
The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, made this clarification during a breakfast show, 'AM Drive', on Kwara Television on Wednesday in Ilorin, describing the allegations as false, dangerous, and capable of undermining public health efforts aimed at protecting children from preventable diseases.
According to her, all vaccines currently in use under the state's immunisation programmes, including the ongoing polio vaccination campaign, are safe, effective, and approved by global and national health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
"These vaccines have undergone rigorous testing and continue to be monitored to ensure their safety. They are critical in protecting our children from life-threatening diseases such as poliomyelitis," she stated.
Elelu explained that vaccines have been used for decades worldwide and have saved millions of lives, significantly reducing child mortality rates.
She urged parents and caregivers not to be misled by unverified information circulating on social media, stressing that refusing vaccination exposes children and communities to avoidable health risks.
"We appeal to all residents of the state to disregard these false claims and continue to present their children for vaccination. Immunisation remains one of the most effective public health interventions," she added.
The agency reassured the public that trained health professionals are deployed across all 16 local government areas to ensure that vaccination exercises are carried out safely and in line with best practices.
Members of the public are encouraged to seek accurate information from verified sources and report any concerns to the nearest health facility.
The agency remains committed, in line with the state government's mandate, to safeguarding the health and well-being of all residents, especially children, through quality and accessible primary healthcare services.