Employing Early Warning and Pre-Bunking Strategies as means of Managing Information on Health Emergencies in Nigeria: The COVID-19 vaccine Experience
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Date
2024-10
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Volume Title
Publisher
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)
Abstract
The management of information during public health emergencies, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent COVID-19 vaccine introduction posed significant challenges for all countries, including Nigeria. Managing vaccine information is crucial to avoid misinformation, disinformation and rumors which escalate fears about, and negatively impact trust and confidence in vaccine and its acceptability. Early Warning and Pre-bunking are noted strategies for timeliness and proactive actions that can be employed in times of emergencies. This paper investigates the role of information in the management of public health emergencies in Nigeria. It particularly examines the importance of employing early warning and pre-bunking strategies to manage information during health crises, focusing on the COVID-19 vaccine experience in Nigeria. Through a review of relevant literature and analyses of data from quantitative and qualitative sources, the study investigates how these strategies can proactively enhance public health communication. Managing information related to COVID-19 vaccines by employing early warning and pre-bunking strategies is crucial in ensuring accurate, reliable, and responsible reporting. These strategies help to combat misinformation and disinformation, which can have serious public health consequences. The study also identifies critical factors influencing the success of these strategies. These include community engagement, governmental support, and media and civil society collaboration. This paper submits that both early warning and pre-bunking strategies should be fully integrated into public health emergency and vaccine related communication in Nigeria and the world at large and that successful management of vaccine information should be multi-faceted and involve all relevant stakeholders.
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Keywords
Managing Information, Health Emergencies, Nigeria, COVID-19 vaccine
Citation
APA