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June 28, 2002
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Nigerian Islamic Scholars Oppose Polio Eradication Drive" Agence France Presse (www.afp.com/english/home) (06/26/02); Abubakar, Aminu
The World Health Organization is conducting a polio vaccination program in Nigeria aimed to wipe the disease out of the country. However, some influential Islamic scholars have sermonized against the inoculations. One reason for opposition is that they are suspicious of a campaign led by Western nations. The suspicion is fueled by the fact that pediatric deaths and brain damage were caused in 1996 when Pfizer used the experimental Trovafloxacin drug during an outbreak of bacterial meningitis in Nigeria.
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