It is increasingly worrisome that only 830,922 persons out of the 1,544,924 target have been administered the COVID-19 1st and 2nd dose vaccinations in the FCT since its roll-out on March 15, 2021.
The nationwide downward trend of COVID-19 infections, coupled with the global relaxation of restrictions and guidelines, has no doubt proven to be a huge challenge to the administration of the vaccination.
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FCT accounts for 12.4 per cent of the total COVID-19 cases in Nigeria where only 13 per cent of Nigerians have been administered the vaccine, ranking low when compared with other countries globally.
A recent report further reveals that a survey shows that 47 per cent of those interviewed said they can’t be infected by COVID-19 while 32 per cent said they don’t want to receive the vaccine.
The survey further showed that 38 per cent of those interviewed questioned the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine while 14 per cent said they didn’t trust the government so cannot receive the vaccine.
There is no doubt that hesitancy and misconceptions still exist about COVID-19; everyone is tired, as affirmed by the FCT Primary Healthcare Board during a recent one-day dissemination of COVID-19 findings and stakeholders’ meeting to improve the uptake of the vaccinations in the FCT.
It is high time the FCT population realised that taking the COVID-19 vaccination is not harmful so every eligible adult should be encouraged to go for it.
While we stress the importance and benefits of the COVID-19 vaccination, this is a clarion call for strengthening awareness aimed at dispelling rumours and misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccination.
Dr Nicholas Okoli, FCT State Immunization Officer
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