There are plans by the federal government to get the COVID-19 vaccine for Nigerians and President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and state governors have stated their readiness to take it on live television to show it is safe.
Here, Daily Trust asks some Nigerians if they would be willing to take the vaccine.
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Uduak Akpan, 30, Office Assistant, Uyo
I will not take the vaccine because I don’t know what it is all about.
I don’t trust it.
Gyang Pam, 69, Retiree, Girei, Adamawa
My opinion is that getting the COVID-19 vaccine should not be rushed.
Let us create awareness first because most people will tell you this is the sickness for the well-to-do.
I don’t need it, I believe God will take good care of us. I don’t think it will be as effective as they claim.
Dr Ifedayo Akinwalere, Lecturer, Lagos
I will surely accept it.
It should be accepted because everybody is under the government.
I am not sure that any government will be happy when their people are not healthy.
Before a vaccine can be administered in this country, it must have been certified by the ministry of health.
Once they are satisfied with it, then that is good for us.
Danladi S.M, Entrepreneur, Lagos
I won’t accept it because I am yet to be convinced that the vaccine has no side effects.
Umar Dankano, 48, Journalist, Yola North
Based on the controversy surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine, I choose to remain neutral.
But I will not submit myself for the vaccine because several doctors and scientists have warned that it could have a devastating effect on human beings.
Afolabi Remi, Engineer, 46, Niger State
We must take responsibility. Every disease has its curative and preventive protocols.
Some have refused to believe in the existence of coronavirus and have remained careless and reckless.
The vaccine is developed to cure and stop the spread of this pandemic.
Not only will I take it, but I will also encourage friends and families to do the same.
Oluwapelumi Oreoluwa, Student, Lagos
There have been other diseases like cancer, HIV, etc without vaccines or cure.
All these diseases have been with us for years, so how come that COVID-19 that just came out has vaccine?
Well, I don’t believe that the vaccine will work so I won’t take it.
Christian Etim, 31, entrepreneur, Uyo
I will take it as long as it is effective.
Olorunshola Emmanuel, Entrepreneur, Lagos
I will accept it because the vaccine will be of great benefit to me, my family, and my friends.
Whether we like it or not COVID-19 is real and a lot of people have died. It is a way to put an end to this virus so we can return to our normal life.
Ndifreke Inyang, 21, Sales boy, Uyo
I will take the vaccine because COVID-19 is real, and I would not want to be infected.
Fatima Zubairu, 35, Civil servant, Shango
It is the responsibility of the government to take care of its people.
Definitely, if it is for the benefit of our health, I will take it.
But I will have to wait for more reasons because of lack of trust.
I am very sure the majority of Nigerians will not take the vaccine because they are scared of it as a result of what we are hearing from foreigners that Africa has the largest number of people and that COVID-19 was created to reduce our population.
The government should be very sure of their plans to prevent the pandemic from escalating further.
Justina Asishana, 34, Journalist, Minna
I will only take the vaccine after our leaders have taken it and it has no side effection them.
If the vaccine that is to be given to me would be different from what our leaders took, I won’t accept it.
This is because there have been several concerns about the safety of the vaccine even within the medical cycle, that is why I will need to observe what happens to those who took it before acting.
Muhammad Hassan Oscar, 55, Businessman, Jimeta, Adamawa
If the government tests the vaccine and certifies it safe, Nigerians should accept it.
But I will not allow myself to be vaccinated because I am not ready for the vaccine
Bolu Opaniran, Lagos
Right now, I can’t really say I won’t but when the vaccine arrives, I will judge from what is available.
I will like to see the reaction.
All things being equal, I think it’s a nice concept to embrace.
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