COVID-19 still a threat, get vaccinated’

Nigerians have been advised to get vaccinated as the COVID-19 virus is still a public health threat in the country.

Data obtained from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) shows that from 15th to 16th September 2022, 189 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the country.

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Till date, 264,933 cases have been confirmed, 257,954 cases discharged and 3,155 deaths recorded in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and other relevant health institutions and experts say there is need for Nigerians to shun rumour, fears and complacency preventing them from getting vaccinated against the virus.

WHO Nigeria Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, expressed concern that in spite of the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in the country now, there is still resistance from some communities to get vaccinated against the virus.

Dr Mulombo, who spoke during a recent donation of the Johnson and Johnson vaccines to Nigeria by MTN, said there is the challenge of complacency, and resistance from some of communities.

“It is a well-known fact that if we get vaccinated, we are protecting ourselves, our children and our families,” he said.

Represented by the Deputy WHO Country Representative, Alexander Chimbaru,  he said “Let us join hands to mobilise our communities, our children and our friends to be vaccinated.”

The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib, said the earlier we all come to a common understanding that COVID-19 is still a formidable threat to our collective wellbeing, the stronger we will be, and the easier and faster it will be for us to defeat it and forge ahead with our lives.

Dr Shuaib, who was represented by the Director, Disease Control and Immunisation of the agency, Dr Bassey Okposen, said the vaccines are here, yet there are still many of us who are hesitant to be vaccinated.

“We seem to be having the wrong information or impression that COVID-19 is no longer existing or it is no longer a problem. Those of us who may be having this impression are wrong.

“The fact is that COVID-19 is still here with us in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world, and it is a dangerous disease that can surge anytime as it has mutating properties. It does not make sense that the government and its partners continue to spend colossal sums of money to protect people against COVID-19 if the disease does not exist,”  he said.

According to NPHCDA, as at 18th  September this year, 36,133,196 total number of persons targeted for COVID-19 vaccination are fully vaccinated  while 12, 943,584 of total eligible persons targeted for COVID-19 vaccination are partially vaccinated.

UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Dr Peter Hawkins, says every Nigerian has a role in stemming the COVID-19 pandemic by getting vaccinated, promoting vaccination, and observing the COVID-19 safety prevention measures.