Social media causing Plateau people to refuse COVID-19 vaccine: Govt

The government of Plateau has blamed COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the state on reports peddled on social media platforms.
The Commissioner for Health, Nimkong Lar, who spoke in an interview on Wednesday in Jos, said social media reports regarding the vaccine created a trust deficit, lowering vaccination coverage.
“Vaccine hesitancy is one of the biggest challenges we have on the Plateau,” Mr Lar said. “Initially, we were doing well. However, before the yuletide, there was a decline in the number of persons coming for the vaccine. Even the elites are not going for the vaccine that is free and readily available.”
Nonetheless, Mr Lar stressed that the situation would be tackled through re-sensitisation of residents. This, he said, the health ministry would commence soon.
He added that the sensitisation would focus on the benefits of vaccination and doing away with the hoax regarding the vaccine.
The commissioner disclosed that the state had commenced administering the Pfizer booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in December 2021.
(NAN)
More from Peoples Gazette

Economy
British Airways cancels U.S. flights over 5G safety concerns
On Wednesday, British Airways had cancelled a handful of flights from Heathrow to Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.

Economy
People in South-East Nigeria paid highest price for petrol in December: Report
The highest average price was recorded in the South-East at N167.38, while the South-West had the least average price of N164.87 in December.

Hot news Home top
Defection: Court to deliver judgment on suit seeking Umahi’s removal March 8
The Division of the Federal High Court has fixed March 8 for judgment in a suit filed by the PDP seeking the removal of Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi from office.

NationWide
Ideal Nigerian youths should be honest, patriotic: Defence Chief Irabor
“A patriotic youth will desist from corrupt conduct because he/she knows that corruption is inimical to national development.”

NationWide
Kidnapping a new crime in Nigeria; police now hearing of banditry: IGP Usman Baba
“We know of armed robbery, and now we (have) started hearing of armed banditry. So, we must work with modernity,” added the police boss.

Politics
Tinubu lies to Nigerians, claims their PVCs have expired
“To me, I look at it closely other elections being held; you see that it’s diminishing because those cards is (sic) expired.”