The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the novel virus, SARS-COV-2, has considerably increased awareness and discussions among the general populaceand scientists -regarding the important roles of vaccines. Despite the desperate need for interventions from vaccines, there is still considerable apathy and hesitancy around the acceptance and use of the available, approved vaccines in many places in Africa and Nigeria, especially. Community pharmacists are the most accessible and first points of health care for most clients. They are trusted, highly trained health care professionals. They should be incorporated and allowed to be at the forefront of reducing hesitancy in the population if the battle against COVID-19 is to be won. In this paper, we explored the extending roles of community pharmacists in building trust in the health system; proximity to the heart of deprived areas, where vaccine hesitancy predominates, and counseling education to promote the acceptance and wide coverage of COVID-19 vaccination. It is therefore recommended that the Nigerian government embrace community pharmacy-led COVID-19 vaccination initiative and embark on structured training programs for community pharmacists in addressing misconceptions about vaccinations and potentially prevent future outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Recently, there has been a surge in cholera cases in Nigeria. With the exhausting health resources and the overwhelming attention towards COVID‐19, Nigeria is in danger of worsening the epidemiological profile of cholera in the country. Thus, it is pertinent to address the surge to prevent further weakening of the country's health system. In this paper, we, therefore, explore the various interrelated factors accounting for the surge in Nigeria. It is therefore suggested that multifaceted public health strategies be employed that leverage the current level of disease preparedness and response capacities to the COVID‐19 pandemic to reduce the impacts of cholera. These measures will not only help in strengthening the country's health system but also enhance the achievement of the relevant strategies toward eradicating cholera.

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Background: In 2000, the World Health Organization recommended the use of at least 2 doses of intermittent preventive treatment with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) to reduce the burden of malaria in pregnancy. Aims: This research described the pattern of IPTp-SP uptake among pregnant women. Methods: This study involved re-analyses of the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey datasets for 2003 and 2008. Frequencies and chi-square (c2) (2x2) tests were used to describe the pattern of IPTp-SP uptake. Findings: The percentage of pregnant women who used any dosage of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine and at least 2 doses of IPTp-SP increased significantly at P<0.05. There was significant increase whe classified by residence, region, socioeconomic status, education, literacy, partner's education, religion and employment status. Conclusions: Uptake of IPTp-SP is still low and calls for intensified improvement of awareness.

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