By Matilda Ikediobi

The Chief Executive Officer of Inocul8, Dr. Emmanuel Egbroko, has dismissed claims circulating among some members of the public that the hepatitis B vaccine can cause infection, describing the belief as misinformation that continues to hinder public health efforts.

Dr. Egbroko made the clarification while speaking on hepatitis B awareness, urging Nigerians to embrace vaccination as a safe and effective way to prevent the disease. He also warned that many people could already be living with the virus without knowing it, increasing the risk of late diagnosis and complications.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and is transmitted through contact with infected blood, unprotected sexual contact, sharing of sharp objects, and from mother to child during childbirth. Health experts note that many infected individuals may not show symptoms in the early stages, allowing the virus to silently damage the liver over time and potentially lead to liver cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.

According to Dr. Egbroko, fears that the vaccine can transmit the disease are unfounded. He explained that the Hepatitis B vaccine does not contain a live virus, but rather a harmless viral protein that trains the immune system to recognize and fight future infections.

“The vaccine cannot cause hepatitis B infection because it does not contain the virus itself,” he said, adding that reported mild side effects such as soreness at the injection site or slight fever are normal immune responses and not signs of illness.

The Chief Medical Director of Inocul8, Dr. Paul Ogboji, also noted that misinformation, particularly on social media, has contributed significantly to vaccine hesitancy. He said many people wrongly associate normal post-vaccination reactions with infection, leading to fear and avoidance of immunisation.

The organisation, Inocul8, said it is intensifying public awareness campaigns to address misconceptions and improve understanding of infectious diseases.

Health experts continue to stress that hepatitis B remains a significant public health concern in many parts of Africa, including Nigeria, where undiagnosed cases are common. They maintain that vaccination remains one of the most effective preventive measures against the disease.

Dr. Egbroko urged Nigerians to seek accurate medical information and to prioritise vaccination as part of long-term protection against hepatitis B infection.