A group of scientists affiliated with the Living Science Foundation has urged the Nigerian Federal Government to reconsider its plan to incorporate a newly developed malaria vaccine into the country’s routine immunization schedule. The call was made in a press statement signed by the Foundation’s president, Joshua Ojo, and the chairman of the planning committee for the 9th National Conference on Environment and Health, Adeniyi Oginni. The conference took place at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The scientists expressed concerns not only about the malaria vaccine but also about the cultivation of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) foods in Nigeria. They highlighted that the lack of appropriate labeling for GMO foods violates the public’s right to know what they are consuming. “Our greatest concern lies in ensuring that consumers are informed about the nature of their food,” the statement read.
In light of these issues, the group has called on the Nigeria Biosafety Management Agency and the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to conduct thorough chronic toxicity testing to ascertain the safety of GMO food products before they are made available to the public. They emphasized that any licensed products should be properly labeled to provide consumers with an informed choice.
The statement also addressed the government’s recent announcement regarding the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, which was introduced in collaboration with UNICEF, GAVI, and the World Health Organization. The government plans to incorporate this vaccine into Nigeria’s routine immunization schedule, a move that has raised eyebrows among the scientific community.
In their opposition to this plan, the scientists pointed out the significant resources required to administer the vaccine, which could detract from funding for other critical health areas. They suggested that the malaria vaccine should be made available only to individuals with a favorable risk-benefit profile, similar to the rabies vaccine’s deployment strategy. “Rather than routine mass deployment, the malaria vaccine ought to be made available only to those with a favorable risk-benefit profile,” they asserted.
The group also referred to previous concerns regarding the RTS malaria vaccine, which had documented adverse outcomes. They stated, “Just eighteen months ago, we noted that the NAFDAC announced Nigeria’s participation in clinical trials for the R21/Matrix-M vaccine. Those adverse outcomes, acknowledged by the World Health Organization, included a higher rate of meningitis and increased mortality in vaccinated girls.” Their worry is that these significant issues have seemingly been overlooked in the rush to deploy the new vaccine.
Additionally, the scientists lamented the country’s poor attitude toward medical and health record-keeping. They noted that this lack of proper documentation hinders the evaluation of the effectiveness of health policies and interventions. “We demand a change in the record-keeping attitudes of concerned authorities,” they emphasized.
The statement concluded with a call for the media to focus on these critical health issues. The scientists argued that heightened media attention could help ensure the government resists undue pressures from foreign interests that might manipulate health policies for their advantage. They believe that an informed public and a vigilant media are crucial in navigating the complexities of health interventions.
As the debate over the malaria vaccine continues, the scientists’ concerns highlight the importance of careful consideration in public health policies, particularly in a nation grappling with significant health challenges.
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