Nigeria: Polio, politics and power play - Update 2
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1. UNICEF deplores rejection of polio vaccine, Zamfara, others
adamant
http://www.datelinehealth-africa.net/betav1.0/news/detailnews.asp?news_id=9547
"It is a lesser of two evils to sacrifice two, three, four,
five, even 10 children (to polio) than allow hundreds of thou-
sands or possibly millions of girl-children likely to be ren-
dered infertile," Statement credited to Kano State (Nigeria)
Governor Ibrahim Shekarau.
2. Official, American Schools, Others, Disagree Over Polio
http://www.datelinehealth-africa.net/betav1.0/news/detailnews.asp?news_id=9548
"Those people at the American School always gave us problems.
They do not want to cooperate with us. They give all kinds of
excuses", Statement credited to Mrs. Bolanle Omolara Awonuga,
National Polio Immunisation Programme Manager for Lagos State,
Nigeria.
3. Report confirms safety of polio vaccine
http://www.datelinehealth-africa.net/betav1.0/news/detailnews.asp?news_id=9549
"
..it is the view of the All Inclusive Final Verification Com-
mittee on OPV Safety, (which left Nigeria on 8th February, 2004
to undertake the national assignment of verifying the safety of
the Oral Polio Vaccine in Pretoria, South Africa, Jakarta, Indo-
nesia and New Delhi, India) that:
(a) Trace amounts of estradiol were found in some samples ana-
lysed by GCMS. The sensitivity of this equipment is very high to
the level of one part in a hundred billion parts.
(b) No trace of progesterone was detected in any of the vaccine
samples.
(c) The trace amounts of estradiol in question are much less
than what is found in recycled drinking water in several devel-
oped countries. Also calf blood (serum) is used to help the
growth of the polio virus during the production process for OPV
by some production centres. These trace levels of estradiol
might very well be physiological residues from serum."
Conclusion:
"Based on all the evidence before us, including interactions
held with professionals and scientists in various countries, it
is the considered opinion of the committee that the Oral Polio
Vaccine, when used as recommended in the Polio Eradication Pro-
gramme in Nigeria is safe."
4. We're not opposed to immunisation - Jama'atu Nasril Islam,
(JNI)
http://www.datelinehealth-africa.net/betav1.0/news/detailnews.asp?news_id=9550
The Secretary-General of the Jama'atu Nasril Islam, (JNI), Jus-
tice Abdulkadir Orire has said that contrary to speculations the
organisation is not opposed to the participation of children in
the Oral Polio Vaccine, (OPV). Speaking with THISDAY, Justice
Orire said JNI merely wanted to safeguard the welfare and future
of children and took steps to investigate the allegations about
the safety of OPV.
"JNI does not want to create problems, even though some people
think this and say it is politics, it is not at all politics. We
are after the welfare and health of our future generation, and
this is what any non-governmental organization should do -
whether religious or social," he said.
For more resources on the polio immunisation crisis in Nigeria,
search news at
http://www.datelinehealth-africa.net/betav1.0
using keywords: Nigeria Polio.
If any of the links do not work when clicked on directly, copy
and paste the ENTIRE URL into your browser address line and
press "Enter" or "Go". That should work.
A. Odutola
Centre for Health Policy & Strategic Studies (CHPSS)*
Lagos, Nigeria
mailto:chpss_abo@yahoo.com
* CHPSS works to promote better health in Nigeria through en-
gagements in research, policy advocacy and communication activi-
ties.