All COVID-19 vaccines carry certain amount of risk — FG

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, says all COVID-19 vaccines carry a certain amount of risk and any vaccines not approved by the Federal Ministry of Health through its agencies cannot be used in Nigeria.

He said this in Abuja at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

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Ehanire said: “NAFDAC has received dossiers for some vaccines dossiers for Sputnik V vaccine of Russia, Astra Zeneca manufactured under license by Serum Institute of India, Covaxin by Bharat vaccines of India and the Sinopharm Vaccine of China, for evaluation and validation for use in Nigeria.

“The government will not be responsible for the safety or efficacy of vaccines given outside the framework of the Government. All the needs of Nigeria have been carefully calculated by NPHCDA and it is possible to accommodate all interests in the framework.”

Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, said approximately 109 million Nigerians would get coronavirus vaccine within two years.

On how pregnant women would be vaccinated, he said: “Working with the states, the Federal Government plans to vaccinate all eligible population from 18 years and above, including pregnant women. However, the decision to vaccinate any pregnant woman will be made in consultation with her healthcare provider.”