Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health (May 2024)
Enhancing diphtheria vaccination efficacy in Nigeria: Integrating community pharmacists for improved accessibility, distribution, and awareness
Abstract
Diphtheria, an infectious disease caused by toxin-producing bacteria, poses a significant public health threat, especially in settings marked by poor health conditions, incomplete immunization, and crowded living environments. Nigeria witnessed an unexpected surge in confirmed diphtheria cases in 2023, with 56.5 % of the 8353 suspected cases confirmed. Alarming trends emerged, revealing a disproportionate impact on unimmunized children, constituting 59.4 % of confirmed cases. This outbreak underscored systemic challenges, including low vaccine coverage, health system issues, vaccine hesitancy, and socio-economic factors.This manuscript proposes a novel approach to address these challenges by integrating community pharmacies into the national diphtheria vaccination plan. Drawing inspiration from the successful inclusion of pharmacies in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, we advocate for a similar collaboration to enhance diphtheria vaccine accessibility and awareness. Of the confirmed cases, only 22.8 % were fully vaccinated, highlighting a crucial gap that necessitates urgent attention.By leveraging community pharmacies as key contact for healthcare services, this manuscript argues for appropriate training for pharmacists, aiming to improve community awareness and facilitate the distribution of diphtheria vaccines. The potential impact of this strategy is underscored by the success of the COVID-19 vaccination program, which witnessed increased accessibility and community engagement through pharmacy involvement. To ensure sustained effectiveness, the manuscript suggests policy reforms, including permanent incorporation of community pharmacies into vaccination programs, curriculum integration for vaccination training, and establishing continuous learning platforms. These measures aim to mitigate healthcare provider shortages, enhance the overall effectiveness of diphtheria vaccination, and contribute to broader population health improvements in Nigeria.
