By Sarjo Brito
The Director of health promotion and education Modou Njai has dismissed reports of a COVID-19 vaccine trial in The Gambia after a WhatsApp audio made rounds on social media accusing The Gambia government of conducting vaccine trails on its citizens, particularly around the Brikama area. Njai said the allegation are simply untrue and unfounded.
He added that the false claim is not only affecting the fight against the pandemic but affecting other health services being provided by the ministry. Njai said the audio has left people scared of using health facilities even when their health care needs have nothing to do with the novel coronavirus.
“We have services we are providing for pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under five years. These are either immunization services, antenatal and general services. When the audio was sent, it caused a lot of fear and panic and as a result of that, people have not been suing our facilities. Many of the children also defaulted in their immunization schedules. There is no COVID-19 vaccine trial in The Gambia and if there was any, we will be open about it,” he added.
COVID-19 vaccine trials especially for African countries, have been in the centre of controversy following comments from two French researchers suggesting using Africans as ‘Guinea pigs’ for the medical trial.
