NOSInformation to young people about fake news about malaria
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 20:27
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Saskia Houttuin
correspondent Afrika
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Saskia Houttuin
correspondent Afrika
A vaccine against malaria. For scientists, this seemed like a dream for a long time, almost bordering on the impossible. But after decades of research, a medical breakthrough came this year: parents in Africa can now have their babies vaccinated against mosquito disease, which significantly reduces the risk of death.
Because a child still dies almost every minute from the effects of malaria. Every year, millions of people contract the disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. 94 percent of them live on the African continent. It is also called a silent killer, especially for young children.
There was a festive atmosphere at the airport of the Cameroonian capital Yaoundé when the first shipment of Mosquirix arrived there a year ago. The drug is one of two malaria vaccines approved by the World Health Organization in recent years.
“We store very valuable medication here that gives children the chance to survive,” said Shalom Tchokfe Ndoula, the head of the national vaccination program, during a tour of a refrigerated storage container.
“This prevents the disease from reaching the stage of complications: anemia, cerebral malaria. Because besides causing people to suffer seriously, it also causes a lot of poverty.”
NOSShalom Tchokfe Ndoula
Quite a bit went into making that happen. The first attempts to develop a vaccine against malaria were made as early as the 1980s. But due to financial setbacks and varying international interest, the process was delayed. The fact that malaria is a parasite, and not a virus or bacteria, made it extra complicated.
After a number of pilot programs in different parts of the African continent, Cameroon became the first country to make the vaccine part of its national vaccination program in January. There are now thirteen countries that do this, and more will follow in the coming years.
Yet the vaccine is not off to a flying start in Cameroon, doctors tell NOS. Figures show that on average less than two-thirds of children have received a first injection. These numbers decrease even further for the repeat injections given at 7, 9 and 24 months.
This is partly due to logistical start-up problems and the uncertain security situation in parts of the country. But there is also another challenge that has taken off since the corona pandemic: fake news. “In healthcare we now see disinformation as our biggest threat,” says Ndoula. “That’s the reality we have to live with now.”
The mosquito disease malaria is still one of the deadliest diseases in Africa
Since 2020, the so-called Africa Infodemic Response Alliance has been keeping track of these on a special WHO network trends of fake news going around on social media. They have already highlighted the malaria vaccine several times.
There was a spike in disinformation, especially around the launch in Cameroon, according to Hemes Nkwa, an epidemiologist who started a platform that combats fake news in the medical sector in Cameroon, Youth for Health and Development of Africa (Yoheda). “Online, influencers spread messages stating that the vaccine would make girls infertile or kill children.”
With her organization, Nkwa wants to debunk these types of messages, via social media and its own website. They also visit schools, where they educate young people about the dangers of fake news. “Because once a fake message is online, it is very difficult to do anything about it,” says Nkwa. “You have to be ahead of it.”
NOSDoses of the vaccine now being distributed in Cameroon
That is not easy, she acknowledges. Moreover, there is more to it than just the aftermath of the corona pandemic. In Cameroon, as in many other African countries, there are still traces of the medical experiments that colonizers carried out on the population a century ago.
For example, French scientists experimented extensively with medication for all kinds of tropical diseases, including sleeping sickness. Millions of people were held at gunpoint while undergoing medical examinations. In Cameroon, some sick or non-sick people were given medication that had serious side effects. A certain drug caused 20 percent of those who received it to become (partly) blind.
In these areas the vaccination rate is still lower than in other parts of the country research shows. “This whole history is still felt today,” Nkwa says. “It also justifies why people here are still hesitant about vaccines.”
Still, doctor Ndoula, who manages the national vaccination program, remains hopeful that the current reality will eventually dawn on the refusers. He hopes that parents will automatically realize that the vaccine does have an effect and that children will not experience any strange side effects. “That will be the best campaign,” he says.
Striking a Balance: The Importance of Malaria Vaccination and the Banter of Fake News
By Your Favorite Comedic Coalition
A Serious Dilemma With a Comedic Twist
So, folks, let’s dive into this serious story about a *silent killer* called malaria and the rather loud misinformation surrounding its vaccine. First off, if you thought malaria was just a fancy cocktail you order in a trendy bar, think again! This disease has been ruining lives one mosquito bite at a time, mostly in Africa, where approximately 94% of cases are reported. Yes, it’s not just the mosquitoes that are buzzing; it’s the alarming rates of illness and death.
The Vaccine: A Dream Come True (Well, Almost)
Imagine a group of scientists slaving away for decades like it’s some bizarre episode of *MasterChef: Vaccine Edition*, only to finally whip up a dish that might actually save lives! That brings us to the intriguing story of Mosquirix. This groundbreaking malaria vaccine made its debut in Cameroon, following some impressive back-and-forth between scientists and funding woes. It’s like watching a soap opera, but with fewer bad plot twists and more actual life-or-death stakes.
However, before you uncork the champagne, let’s get serious. Only about two-thirds of children have received their first dose, and the numbers drop like a lead ballon when it comes to the follow-ups. You see, as much as we’d love to blame *that guy* from high school who still thinks he’s an influencer, a mix of logistical issues and persistent security concerns are also at play. And then, like an unwelcome party crasher, here comes the *fake news* brigade!
Fake News: The Silent Killer’s Loudest Buddy
Ah yes, nothing says “trustworthy information” like some dubious social media posts. Ever heard that one that claims vaccines turn kids into frogs? (Well, let’s just say I’d stick with my local rumors about “what the ‘cool kids’ are doing.”) According to Hemes Nkwa of the Youth for Health and Development of Africa, fake news is wreaking havoc, leading to ridiculous claims that the malaria vaccine could cause infertility. Honestly, I’ve seen less ridiculous stuff on a Lee Evans stand-up routine!
It’s a tricky path we tread, trying to combat misinformation while making sure facts aren’t the punchline. Nkwa and her team are pushing back, raising awareness and unveiling the truth at schools. They’re like the Avengers of health education, battling the mighty Thanos of disinformation—and trust me, no magical stones are needed for this quest!
Past Horrors Make Present Choices Hard
Now, let’s add another layer of complexity to this situation, shall we? The historical context is as important as your morning coffee. The shadows of past medical experiments conducted by colonial powers still linger, casting doubt over vaccines in communities that have seen more nightmares than Netflix can provide. We’re talking about frightening tales of medical trials that could make the bravest souls shiver—like French scientists testing drugs that left people partly blind. Ouch!
With experiences like that, it’s no wonder there’s skepticism when it comes to vaccinations. But my friends, while we’re just trying to make the world a better place, one jab at a time, we have to tread lightly with a healthy dose of humor to lighten the mood. Perhaps a catchy slogan could help? “Your kids won’t turn into frogs, but they might just swim into a healthier future!”
Moving Forward with Hope
Despite the hurdles, there is a glimmer of hope. According to Dr. Ndoula, who manages the national vaccination program, there’s optimism that as more children receive the shot, the public will see the positive outcomes—without any side effects resembling a *Twilight Zone* episode!
Ultimately, it’s clear: tackling misinformation is just as vital as the vaccination itself. So, let’s channel our inner comedians, mix a little laughter with education, and help spread the word—because if we can beat malaria, then surely we can dance our way past fake news like it’s a Lee Evans comedy routine!
Exity to our story. The ghosts of the past—the painful history of colonial medical experiments—still hover ominously over places like Cameroon. Imagine a time when scientists were so dedicated to their research that they used the local population as their personal lab rats. Not exactly the stuff of cheerful medical history, is it? Countless individuals endured horrific side effects from clinical trials, including blindness from poorly administered drugs. Yikes! Talk about a real-life horror story that still influences how people view vaccines today.
A Ray of Hope Amidst the Chaos
But before we drown in our own pessimism, let’s shine a light on those fighting the good fight! Dr. Ndoula, the captain of the malaria vaccination ship in Cameroon, is optimistic. He’s hoping that as parents see children respond positively to the vaccine without any “crazy side effects,” skepticism will ease. It’s like he’s saying, “Trust me, your kid won’t turn into a superhero with weird powers!”
This ultimate campaign—watching parents connect the dots between vaccination and health—might just kick misinformation to the curb. And that, my friends, is the kind of comedy we can all support: a world where people wisely decide to protect their children from preventable diseases, armed not just with medicine but also with the truth.
