There Is A Need For Improved Adult Vaccination In Nigeria, Says Experts

Medical experts in Nigeria are advising for their to be improved adult vaccination campaigns in Nigeria. They say that this will help in fighting any emerging diseases. One such expert spoke at an adult vaccination media webinar which was organised by the well known pharmaceutical and biotechnology firm, Pfizer Incorporation.

Olufunke Adeyeye, Professor of Medicine and consultant physician at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, during the webinar, said that pneumococcal diseases were not getting the required attention, despite the challenges that keep arising from the burden of the disease.

“A systematic review of infections in individuals older than 65 years found that coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, were all associated with a significantly higher risk of acquiring pneumococcal infections. Immunisation in Nigeria, so far, has been primarily directed towards infants and children, but vaccination is as important for adults as it is for children.”

Ogugua Osi-Ogbu, the head of the Geriatrics unit at the National Hospital, Abuja, explained that vaccine-preventable diseases such as infectious diseases that are caused by viruses or bacteria could be prevented easily with vaccines.

“Pneumococcal disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. Many high-income countries recommend pneumococcal vaccination in older adults but, even where policies are in place, coverage is often low. Very few low and/or mid-income countries currently provide pneumococcal vaccination to older adults as a part of a routine programme. Vaccines are not just for kids; adults need vaccines too. Even if fully vaccinated as a child, adults may be at risk for other diseases due to age, job, lifestyle, travel, or health condition.

“Vaccines don’t just protect you; they protect those around you, too. Vaccines protect individuals against specific diseases, but they also help those who have not had the vaccine by creating “herd immunity”. This protects people vulnerable to the disease, such as babies too young to be vaccinated, people undergoing chemotherapy, the elderly, and people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.”

Kodjo Soroh, the medical director of Pfizer Incorporation for sub-Saharan Africa, stated that the company has had a long history in vaccine research and development. He said that through the development of innovative delivery systems and technologies, the firm had created scalable solutions that addressed the prevention of deadly bacterial infections.