Tessy Igomu
Renowned professor of virology and former Vice-Chancellor of the Redeemer’s University Nigeria, Oyewole Tomori, has urged Nigerians to submit to vaccinations with the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available in the country.
In a video message on the verified Twitter handle of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, @NphcdaNG, Tomori promised to get inoculated as soon as the vaccine is available.
See the video:
Our globally acclaimed virologist, Prof. Oyewale Tomori has a message on COVID-19 vaccine for you.
Listen and share with your friends and family.#COVID19Nigeria #COVID19vaccine pic.twitter.com/FdAW5WVIE5
— NPHCDA (@NphcdaNG) January 5, 2021
Tomori said, “If the vaccine comes in today, I will gladly take it. I will also call on my family and you to take it.
“We need to take the message to our people that this vaccine is good,” he added.
Tomori, who is presently Chairman, Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19 Response, admitted that the vaccine will trigger some reactions, but assured that they are temporary.
He said, “Of course, there will be side reactions, individual side reactions, but then, they are temporary.
“The long and short of it is that you are protected from the disease.
“It is not as if you won’t be exposed or get the infection, but you will be protected from the infection becoming a disease.”
The virologist appealed to Nigerians to, aside from getting the vaccines, embrace all safety protocols and guidelines specified by relevant health agencies to ensure all round protection against COVID-19.
“That is why we are saying in addition to the vaccine, wear your face mask.
“Even after getting the vaccine, you should wash your hands regularly and observe all other safety protocols, as they will all add up to ensure that you don’t get the disease,” he said.
Recall that in December 2020, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 announced that the President has ordered that COVID-19 vaccine be made available in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the National Coordinator of the PTF on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, who said the president had also directed the Task Force to proceed with preparations for introduction of the vaccine.
Also in December, the NPHCDA, an agency saddled with the responsibility of handling the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the country, revealed through its Twitter handle, that it is making plans for the introduction and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria.
The agency’s Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, had earlier presided over a COVAX facility meeting, meant to map out strategies for COVID-19 vaccine introduction in the country.
“Earlier today, the ED/CEO NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib presided over the #COVAX facility meeting for COVID-19 vaccine introduction in Nigeria.
“Discussions centred on COVID-19 vaccine introduction plan and COVID-19 vaccine delivery,” the agency tweeted.
The NPHCDA further stated that key discussions at the meeting were centered on surveillance and microplanning, vaccines security cold chain and Logistics, demand generation and risk communication.
The NPHCDA team, the agency also shared updates on the COVID-19 vaccine introduction operational manual.
Similarly, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), on Friday, January 1, in his New Year speech to Nigerians, assured that his administration is finalising plans to procure COVID-19 vaccines for Nigerians.
He also said his government is working out plans to efficiently and effectively distribute the vaccines, and urged Nigerians to keep the country safe from a resurgent cycle of the COVID-19 pandemic by observing all guidelines set up to curb further spread of the virus.
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: health_wise@punchng.com
The post Why every Nigerian should obtain COVID-19 vaccine -Tomori appeared first on Healthwise.
