Grace Egila
The COVID-19 pandemic came with some perceptions, Knowledge, practices, and misconceptions that have widely circulated among community members.
In Gwala and Kumbotso Local Government Areas of Kano state, COVID-19 vaccine administration and uptake met mal-information, disinformation, misinformation, myths, and negative cultural and religious perceptions.
An investigation by this reporter revealed that at the inception stage of administering the vaccines, the residents were not in support of the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine, but in support of the government’s directives for the use of face masks, hand washing, and other COVID-19 etiquette.
This reporter observed that most residents’ relied on rumors, disinformation, and conspiracy theories, thereby making them COVID-19 vaccine non-conformists.
Perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes about Covid-19 vaccines
43-year-old Sulaiman Dan-Asabe, a businessman in Gwaron Dutse, Gwale, claims that the vaccine has a chip that would remain in people’s bodies to track and kill them after about 10 to 15 years, though; he could not back his claim with any scientific evidence.
In a separate interview in Dangwauro, and Danbare sections of Kumbotso LGA residents who prefer to remain anonymous said they were unwilling to take the Covid-19 vaccine because they don’t trust the manufacturers of the vaccine, and the government for forcing it on them.
A student in Danbare responded: “If it’s not a conspiracy, why can’t the federal government produce the vaccines in Nigeria? These kinds of vaccines, like the Pfizer one, in the past, have caused so many deaths in Kano.
“Even the polio vaccines went through years of controversies before people accepted it, but this one, like magic, came with conditions.
“See, something is fishing. Why is the government forcing people to take the vaccines? They even issue a certificate for doses and restrict traveling for a lack of the certificate.”
Similarly, Malama Hussaina who sells local herbs in a neighborhood of the Panshekara section of Kumbotso LGA said: “Even though white men are still rejecting it. I believe there is an alternative medicine to the vaccines, I read on social media (WhatsApp) that even septrin tablets can cure it.
“See, even local herbs (agbo) can cure covid-19, so, why is the government not considering such alternatives but insisting on the vaccines, she queried.
“Receiving vaccines should not be compulsory. And again, the virus has finished, and people are not taking the issue of covid-19 seriously, so, what is your concern,” she furiously asked.
These perceptions show that ‘trust deficiency’ is strongly militating against Covid-19 vaccine acceptance, and could contribute to an unwillingness to accept taking a dose.
A section of young adults and tricycle mechanics at Farawa near Mariri along Maiduguri Road said COVID-19 vaccination is a big scam.
A resident, and artisan worker at Chalawa in Kumbotso LGA, said the virus is not for black people; it is a white man’s disease.
“Let me ask you, where is Covid-19 now? And people who didn’t take the vaccine are not dead…abeg, leave white men with their wahala,” he added.
Musbahu Saminu, a tricycle driver plying Sharada – Zawaciki road said he is not willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine because he believes in the conspiracy theory that the vaccines represent a hidden agenda by the Western world to control black people like robots….wallahi Covid-19 Karya ce, declared.
Zuwaira Haruna, a resident of Madawari, Gwale LGA said: “Hmm me, take the Covid-19 vaccine. What for, why? Whatever you do, say, go they will know…you will have no secret, you are just a tool living at their mercy, whenever you take the vaccine.
“Allah is great, the virus is gone, even when it comes back, I would rather die than take any dose of the vaccine.”
However, he said he obeyed and may abide by any protocol if the pandemic emerges for a second time.
Responding to ‘Would you take the vaccine’? In Gwale LGA most of the residents say everyone should be vaccinated because the virus is real and deadly.
Some residents agreed to take the vaccine as a safety measure, while others agreed to take a dose to prevent the government from disenfranchising them of any rights for not taking the vaccines.
A lady shop owner in Dorayi, Gwale LGA said: “Covid-19 is real. It has killed many people around the world….it is a global thing.
“I have taken my first dose, in the coming weeks; I may go for the second dose.
“I think government at all levels should come up with ideas that will change the wrong narratives about the vaccines.”
This perception was significantly higher among all the female respondents who agreed to take the vaccines.
Covid-19 vaccine acceptance
The investigation conducted in Gwale and Kumbotso LGAs revealed that residents were strongly united against Covid-19, and had no tolerance for anything called vaccine being administered to them or their wards.
Some people saw the COVID-19 pandemic as a mirage and were undecided on what to do for prevention and the different types of information making rounds about the vaccines.
Further Investigation revealed that some residents in Gwale and Kumbotso communities have already declared that the vaccines are not safe; they would not take them.
Responding to ‘why they will not take the vaccine’? A bus driver and resident of Mandawari Sabon Titi, Umaru Haruna said the virus does not exist.
He said the virus and vaccines are a deliberate conspiracy to reduce the ever-increasing number of Muslims around the world.
In other communities of Gwale and Kumbotso LGAs, residents agreed that Covid-19 is real, but, only a minority of the residents declared that the vaccines are safe and that they would take a dose anytime, any day.
Though, some were undecided about why they were unwilling to take the COVID-19 vaccines.
Information and data obtained from the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board (KSPHMB) revealed that there are four types of COVID-19 vaccines being administered to people in the state.
The vaccines are AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, and Janson.
The total number of vaccines distributed to Gwale and Kumbotso LGAs are 1,046,038 and 1,341,852 respectively.
The number and types of vaccines administered in Gwale LGA are AstraZeneca 94,780, Pfizer 486,330, Moderna 332,323, and Jason 132,600.
The data further revealed that Gwale has 47 vaccination centers out of which 28 are inside Primary Healthcare centers (PHCs) scattered around the LGAs.
As of mid-August 2022, of the 1,046,038 different types of vaccines distributed to the 47 vaccination centers in Gwale, only 786,512 received the first dose.
In the second round 780,279, people were vaccinated while 61,172 received their booster dose of vaccines.
In Kumbotso LGA the number and type of vaccines administered are 136,920 AstraZeneca, 826,338 Pfizer, 156,044 Moderna, and 222,550 Jason.
The LGA has 39 vaccination centers with 28 situated within PHCs in the LGA.
So far, only 449,704 people have received their first dose.
And 368,310 people received the second dose, while 157,671 people received their booster dose.
The first dose administered in the 2 LGAs might be greatly influenced by government directives or sensitization.
The decrease in the uptake of the vaccines between the first, second, and booster doses may not be unconnected to people’s perceptions.
This investigation has revealed the need for the government and other stakeholders to increase efforts in sensitization for citizens in the state to accept and take all the doses of the COVID-19 vaccines.
This report was supported by the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) Project of Strengthening Maternal Healthcare through Accountability Interventions in Kano State.
