AstraZeneca: Nigeria records 10,027 mild, 86 severe side effects – NPHCDA

Nigeria has so far recorded a total of 10,027 mild cases of adverse effects and 86 moderate to severe cases from the COVID-19 vaccination.

The federal government had, on March 15, officially rolled out the use of a vaccine developed by AstraZeneca Plc and the University of Oxford for emergency use in the country.

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Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, during the weekly update on COVID-19 vaccination by the agency yesterday in Abuja said, “There have been cases of mild, moderate and severe Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) since we officially rolled out Covid-19 vaccination on March 15, 2021.

“A total of 10,027 cases of mild AEFI have been reported as of May 30”, while 86 cases of moderate to severe incidents have been reported.”

He, however, said all the affected individuals had since fully recovered, noting that the symptoms ranged from pain and swelling at sites of vaccination to more serious symptoms such as headaches, abdominal pain, fever, dizziness and allergic reactions.

He said five states had the highest records of the adverse effects with Cross River topping the list with 1,040 cases; Kaduna, 1,071; Lagos, 796; Yobe, 555 cases and Kebbi, 525.

He said as of [Monday], 1,956,598 of targeted eligible Nigerians had been vaccinated with their first dose of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine.

According to him, of this number, 66 percent are frontline workers, 22% are healthcare workers; while 12% belong to the elderly group.

He said 73,465 Nigerians had also received their second dose across the 36 states and the FCT.

Shuaib  enjoined Nigerians to remain vigilant and obey all protocols against COVID-19 as “significant concern remains about the threat posed by the coronavirus B.1.617.2 variant, also known as the Indian variant.”