Fake news deadlier than disease – Agwale
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For over 30 years, more than 80 per cent of Nigerian children have benefited from routine immunisation. If vaccines were designed to harm us, Nigeria would not have a population of over 230 million and growing.
By Abujah Racheal
Dr Simeon Agwale, a renowned virologist and CEO of Innovative Biotech, says fake news and widespread misinformation on vaccine poses a greater threat to public health than any infectious disease currently confronting Nigeria.
Agwale told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja that vaccines remain the most cost-effective lifesaving intervention known to humanity.
He said that Nigeria’s population growth contradicts claims that vaccines are harmful or designed to depopulate Africans.
“Let us be practical, show me one person in Nigeria who has never received at least one vaccine.
“For over 30 years, more than 80 per cent of Nigerian children have benefited from routine immunisation.
“If vaccines were designed to harm us, Nigeria would not have a population of over 230 million and growing,” he said.
He said that globally, more than 60 per cent of the world’s population has received at least one vaccine, protecting billions from polio, measles, tetanus, hepatitis and COVID-19.
“If vaccines were killing people, the world would be empty by now,” he added.
He drew attention to the resurgence of measles in the U.S., describing it as a direct consequence of vaccine refusal rather than a result of vaccine dangers. “That is the real danger of disinformation,” he warned.
Agwale questioned why vaccines are singled out for suspicion in Nigeria when more than 70 per cent of the country’s medicines are imported without similar alarm.
“Even soft drinks like Coca-Cola are imported, yet nobody calls them a depopulation tool,” he said.
He emphasised that Nigeria must focus on strengthening local vaccine production, building scientific capacity, and ensuring national health security.
According to him, the country needs a thriving biotechnology and vaccine manufacturing ecosystem to reduce reliance on imports and protect its citizens during outbreaks.
“Instead of spreading misinformation, let us focus on what matters.
“Vaccines save lives, historically, scientifically and practically. Nigeria must take charge of its own health destiny,” he said.
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