The Equity International Initiative (Ell) has cautioned the Federal Government of Nigeria against forceful vaccination of the COVID-19 vaccines on Nigerians.
The director of the foundation, Miss Helen Okon, told newsmen on Thursday in Abuja that government should not sign any agreement with pharmaceutical companies that have an indemnity clause in their favour.
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According to her, Nigeria should stop copying what other nations are doing in respect to COVID-19 vaccines.
“Nigerians do not want vaccines. The next question that must be asked is the safety of this hurriedly put together vaccine.
“The UK that was the first to administer the vaccine has advised citizens with allergies not to take it.
“And Nigeria has signed an agreement with a pharmaceutical company that has an indemnity clause in its favour.
“Nigeria needs to be very sure that any vaccine that comes into the country is safe, and should be optional. Remember the Pfizer meningitis vaccine debacle in Kano in 1996,” Okon said.
She also opposed the restrictions on religious gathering, especially in the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
She said, “Religious gatherings have once again been told to restrict attendance to 50 per cent capacity and are now being told not to gather to usher in the New Year.
“These are indeed unusual times, but caution should be exercised in eroding civil liberties.
“Government’s intention to put restrictions on places of worship should be retracted.
“Noting that more vulnerable places as markets are still open, there is no logic in putting restrictions on churches and other worship centres.”
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