Here are three key reasons why COVID-19 vaccine myths and misinformation remain a major challenge in Nigeria and across Africa.
- Widespread misinformation: Since the COVID-19 outbreak, false information and conspiracy theories—especially through social media—have misled many about the virus and vaccines.
- Vaccine myths and fears: Despite vaccine availability in Africa, myths fueled by fear and ignorance have slowed vaccination efforts.
- Low vaccine usage: Due to mistrust and misinformation, over 22 African countries have used less than 25% of their vaccine supplies, according to WHO.
Unprecedented data was released across the world's media after the COVID-19 Coronavirus broke out in December 2019. Many details regarding the pandemic, its symptoms, transmission, and response mechanisms have been inaccurate. Misinformation, deception, falsehoods, and misconceptions have been served to audiences via propaganda and fake news. One way this propaganda has spread is through social media.
The release of COVID-19 vaccines offered hope that the pandemic would end soon. Unfortunately, as the number of vaccines available in Africa has grown, so has the number of myths regarding them. Anxieties regarding vaccines might stem from a lack of knowledge or outlandish conspiracy ideas. The World Health Organization estimates that 22 African countries have used less than 25% of their vaccination supplies.
So, tell me, what are some of the most common myths heard throughout the continent? Below are some of the common myths about COVID-19 in Nigeria and Africa.
Myth 1: Covid-19 does not exist.
The notion that COVID does not exist is a myth. Cases of COVID-19 have been documented in every country on Earth. The African CDC stresses the seriousness of the COVID threat. Approximately 127,000 people have lost their lives to COVID-19 on the continent, and over 4.7 million confirmed cases have been confirmed. Due to insufficient testing, the actual numbers are very certainly much higher. The virus, meanwhile, is continually changing. Sometimes, the new varieties are even more contagious and lethal than the original. You can find half a dozen COVID strains on the continent right now. Due to low vaccination rates in Africa, the virus has a chance to mutate and spread uncontrollably across the continent and, ultimately, the world.
Myth 2: The government invented COVID to gain more power.
Even though there are health recommendations to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Africa, very few people follow them. Doubts about COVID-19 increased in some African countries after the government politicised the virus. One such country is Nigeria. COVID palliatives and relief materials meant for the masses were hoarded and/or shared amongst themselves. Security forces were accused of applying COVID-19 directives selectively against the poor masses, and the public's mood switched from cooperative to defiant. The low rates of immunisation are a reflection of this. While some say the government is inflating the danger of COVID-19 for political benefit, others point to Africa's low infection rates as "proof." This problem is not unique to Nigeria; in other countries, such as Benin, Uganda, Djibouti, Chad, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Republic of the Congo, vaccine skepticism is also on the rise because of a gulf between governments and individuals.
Myth 3: The risks associated with vaccines are significant.
The idea that live viruses are introduced into the body and that people can die from vaccinations is a common urban legend. However, the fear of the COVID-19 vaccines has been amplified on social media by "anti-vaccine campaigners." Others argue that the risks of getting the vaccines—such as infertility or other severe side effects—are greater than the risks of getting the virus. Some believe that vaccines are poisons that change people's DNA in Africa. They further assert that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and the United States government are behind the scheme to use vaccines as a cover to implant trackable microchips.
Truth be told, all vaccines (AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Sinopharm) that are now available in Africa have been certified for use by WHO. The listing aims to ensure that, under urgent circumstances, health workers can quickly distribute high-quality, effective vaccines to those who need them.
What to Do
When it comes to avoiding contracting COVID-19, keeping your distance from other people (ideally by at least 1 meter) and practising good hand hygiene are your best bets. You can prevent spreading any viruses that could be on your hands to your face by washing them well before eating or touching your face. Wearing face masks, maintaining social distance, and avoiding crowded places can help to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Until vaccines are widely accessible, these methods help keep individuals healthy and out of the hospital's intensive care units.
Bottom Line
Verifying the integrity and scientific foundation of the news and media coverage around the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most difficult tasks facing the public. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many false rumours and misconceptions have increased throughout the WHO African Region. False information is lethal, and the truth is always a life-saver. The spread of harmful false information online and offline contributes to the persistence of dangerous diseases like COVID-19. Access to up-to-date knowledge founded in science is essential to the well-being of individuals, groups, and nations. Don't disseminate myths, only the facts.
With the help of vaccines, Ebola outbreaks in West and Central Africa have been contained in the past. Building up people's confidence was crucial to these programs' success. For the COVID-19 vaccine campaign to regain the public's trust, it is necessary to counter the myths around the virus and vaccine and foster an atmosphere of outreach that prioritises the community's needs.
