The federal government has said Nigeria has not recorded any death directly linked to COVID-19 vaccination in the country.
While allaying fears that the COVID-19 jab causes impotence or any other severe health related complication, the government noted that cases of mild, moderate and severe reactions that have been recorded are expected from normal vaccination, adding that people who experienced any of these have since recovered and are doing well.
Addressing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja at an event to update Nigerians on the status of COVID-19 vaccination in the country, the Executive Director National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib therefore encouraged citizens not to allow the fear of side effects to discourage them from taking the vaccine, maintaining that the long term benefits of getting vaccinated far outweighs the risk of brief side effects.
Dr. Shuaib stated that the agency is working closely with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) response, adding that an App known as MED-SAFETY App was launched which can help individuals to report vaccine side effect for timely response
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He also announced that the federal government has extended the administration of second dose of the vaccine until 5th of July 2021, citing constraints of time arising from various economic and social engagements of Nigerians.
The second dose administration was initially scheduled to end 25th of June, 2021.
Dr. Shuaib therefore advised those who received their first dose no later than May 13th to visit the nearest vaccination site to receive their second dose as soon as possible, for full protection against COVID-19.
“The Federal Government has remained committed to ensuring that every eligible person in Nigeria is vaccinated against COVID-19. As of today, June 24th 2021, our data shows that 2,099,568 people have been vaccinated with their first doses while 1,005,234 have received their second doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. You would recall that the government reopened administration of first dose to address increase in vaccine demand by people who were yet to be vaccinated at all. This resulted in the increase in number of clients vaccinated with the first doses.
“Let me further clarify that full vaccination DOES NOT exempt people who have received their second doses of the vaccine from observing the infection prevention and control measures. It is very important for everyone, including those who have received their second doses to continue to wear face masks and observe other non-pharmaceutical measures to prevent the spread of the virus” the Executive Secretary added.
In his comment, the World Health Organization Country Director, Dr. Walter Kazadi Molumbo noted that countries with high vaccination rate and strict adherence to non-pharmaceutical protocols are winning the war against the COVID-19 pandemic, urging Nigerians to observe the safety protocols and make themselves available for vaccination.
He expressed the commitment of the WHO to ensure equitable access to vaccine especially the disadvantaged countries.
He noted that demand for vaccine has outweighed the supply, adding that there is need to scale of production of vaccine to meet the growing market demand, assuring that the WHO will continue to provide technical support to Nigeria as part of response to COVID-19 especially vaccine supply.
The UNICEF representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins who was represented by Dr. Gagan Gupta applauded the country’s effort in dealing with the pandemic.
While thanking Federal government for extending the second phase of the vaccination, he urged Nigerians especially those who have taken the first doze of the vaccine to present themselves for the second doze for full protection.
