ENUGU — The National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, has revealed that 2, 495, 632 eligible Nigerians have been vaccinated with the first dose while 1,370, 130 vaccinated with 1st dose have received their 2nd dose as of July 5th, 2021, the beginning of the third quarter of the year.
In the southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria, from the breakdown on the state to state vaccination, while 184,715 persons have received the first jab of the covid19 vaccine, 92,644 have received the second dose; this is a fraction of more than 20million persons within the zone.
Could the vaccination hesitancy be attributed to the adverse effect following vaccination, AEFI, or rumors and conspiracy theories all over social media?
Dr. Faisal Shuaib, ED/ CEO NPHCDA said, “We have been informed that some people have potential fear of side effects and are therefore hesitant to take the vaccine. In some instances, even those who have taken their first jab are afraid of taking the second jab because of side effects.”
Many claims that a bulb can be lightened when placed at the spot of the jab while others say that the spot is magnetic and the vaccinated persons will not live up to a year after vaccination.
To verify these claims-making waves in the zone and nation at large, The West African Pilot News interviewed some fully vaccinated persons; those who have taken their first and second dose.
“Apart from the slight pains I had which lasted for two days, the vaccine had no other AEFI on me; in fact, I played tennis the same day I took my second dose,”
The 70 years old male interviewee further debunked the rumors of the vaccine lighting up a bulb; “it is a baseless rumor that has no truth in it because I placed a bulb on the spot I received the jab and it did not light up as claimed.”
Other fully vaccinated individuals interviewed also collaborated with his story stating that the vaccine is safe and adverse effect mild if any.
On adverse effects associated with covid19 vaccination, NPHCDA revealed that only about 13,788 adverse effects following Immunization have been reported; 125 severe AEFI and 13,663 mild to moderate AEFI and zero death case.
Prof. Oyewale Tomori, a Virologist also stated, “Don’t believe these theories/conspiracies being peddled about the safety of the Covid-19 Vaccine. The vaccine does not contain metallic material or any controversial substances. The vaccine is safe and effective. It is for your safety. Get vaccinated.”
Strategic intervention refuting the rumors becomes imminent if the country hopes to achieve her plans to vaccinate at least 70 per cent of eligible Nigerians aged 18 years and above in four phases within two years as released in joint press statement by NPHCDA, WHO and UNICEF.
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