UN agency attacks Nigeria’s ban on polio vaccines

The United Nations children’s fund (UNICEF) has condemned community leaders in northern Nigeria for banning polio vaccines.

The United Nations children’s fund (UNICEF) has condemned community leaders in northern Nigeria for banning polio vaccines.Several districts have refused to take part in a vaccination program because of fears the vaccine could lead to health problems.The head of UNICEF, Carol Bellamy, is calling on religious and local government leaders in northern Nigeria to lift a ban on the polio vaccine.Ms Bellamy says children should not be paralysed because of baseless rumours that the vaccine is not safe. UNICEF is trying to vaccinate children in Nigeria, as part of a campaign to eliminate polio by the end of next year. But the program has been blocked in several districts. Some Muslim clerics believe the vaccine can create fertility problems.Religious leaders are split over whether to allow the vaccination campaign to go ahead.(Source: ABC Health News, Feb 2004)