IHVN Advocates Better Tracking of Vaccine Reactions

Abuja, Nigeria :The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has called on governments and healthcare institutions to prioritize the training of healthcare workers and invest in robust infrastructure to improve the monitoring of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI). This move aims to promote safer vaccination practices and reinforce public trust in immunization programs across the country.

Victoria Etuk, Project Lead for AEFI Surveillance at IHVN, made this appeal in Abuja during a two-day event organized by the institute’s International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE), where key findings from COVID-19 vaccine AEFI data were presented.

The meeting convened representatives from government bodies, state epidemiologists, healthcare professionals, and international partners to assess the effectiveness of vaccine safety surveillance systems in Lagos, Rivers, Oyo, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Initiated in response to the global focus on vaccine safety, the AEFI project was designed to enhance the detection and reporting of adverse events related to COVID-19 vaccines. One of its major accomplishments is the implementation of the DHIS-2 platform—a digital tool for real-time reporting of vaccine side effects, enabling quicker and more accurate responses during public health crises.

Etuk highlighted that over 500 healthcare workers, including immunization and surveillance officers, have been trained in identifying and reporting AEFI cases. She also addressed the reluctance among some health workers to report such events due to fear of stigma or repercussions, clarifying that no penalties exist for doing so.

Abdulazeez Yahaya, Deputy Director and Head of Surveillance at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), praised ongoing efforts in vaccine rollout but cited challenges in data quality, timely reporting, and communication. He echoed the call for strengthened infrastructure, enhanced training, and community engagement to bolster vaccine safety nationwide.

Rita Okonkwo, Project Director of the SECURE-Nigeria Project at IHVN, underscored the importance of drawing lessons from past health emergencies. She emphasized the need to scale successful strategies from the COVID-19 response to routine immunization efforts, noting, “This is the right time to apply what worked.”

In addition, Dr. Abiodun Abiola, Assistant Director of Pharmacovigilance at NAFDAC, advocated for the harmonization of AEFI reporting tools nationwide, warning that fragmented data undermines the national health response. The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) also stressed the importance of consistent, data-driven surveillance to sustain public trust and improve health outcomes.

By Taiwo Olatinwo/ May 21,2025