LAGOS, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government Wednesday said the military does not vaccinate or participate in vaccine exercise in any part of the country.
Isaac Adewole, the Minister of Health, who made this known in a statement sent to Xinhua, called on Nigerians to disregard ongoing rumors in parts of the country that the military was administering vaccinations on school children.
The minister said there was no iota of truth in the claim and called on members of the public to remain calm as government is committed to the well-being of Nigerians wherever they live.
He added any vaccination by government agency would be done in conjunction with states and local governments.
Adewole said necessary awareness will be created through advocacy and community mobilization before such vaccination or immunization exercise is embarked upon.
According to him, military does not vaccinate or participate in vaccine exercise in any part of the country except two local government areas in restive northeast state of Borno.
He said the military participation in Borno was at the invitation of the Federal Ministry of Health to assist in reaching the inaccessible areas due to security challenges.
Adewole, who described the rumor as malicious and mischievous, urged Nigerians to disregard the rumor and go about their legitimate and normal daily activities without fear or any apprehension.
Last week, there was commotion in schools in the southeast part of the country over fear of monkey pox injection by state authorities.
Parents and guardians rushed to schools to pick their wards amidst rumors that a military mission was forcing pupils to accept inoculation that could kill them.
Perturbed, Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, had issued a statement on Sunday debunking the rumor.
