Why COVID-19 vaccination is still important

Relevant health institutions in the country have advised Nigerians to continue to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

They said those who have not yet been vaccinated against the virus should go to the nearest vaccination centre to do so as the pandemic is not yet over.

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Data obtained from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) showed that between Friday, October 22 and Sunday, October 28, the country recorded a total of 95 cases of COVID-19.

The country has so far recorded 266,138 confirmed cases of the virus since the beginning of the pandemic. A total of 259,457 of the cases have been discharged while 3,155 deaths have been recorded so far.

NCDC said vaccines remain one of the best tools we have to improve health and well-being around the world and that people should get vaccinated and encourage loved ones around them to do so.

The  World Health Organisation (WHO) says COVID-19 vaccines have the greatest impact at reducing severe illness, hospitalisation and death.

It says vaccines train the immune system to create antibodies, just as it does when it is exposed to a disease.

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said a vaccine is a reliable and proven tool for the prevention and control of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.

It says vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to induce immune cells and proteins, called antibodies, that confer immunity or protection against the disease.

NPHCDA COVID-19 Vaccination Update showed that as at October 30th, 49,311,045  of total eligible persons targeted for COVID-19 vaccination have been fully vaccinated while 12,614,348 of total eligible persons targeted for the vaccination were partially vaccinated.

This means 44.1 per cent of the targeted population for vaccination has been fully vaccinated, but the country is still far from achieving herd immunity against COVID-19 infection.

Prof Oyewale Tomori,  a renowned virologist and past president of the Nigerian Academy of Science, said vaccination provides protection against the virus, but exposing oneself to it may not stop infection despite being vaccinated.

He also advised Nigerians to continue to take the COVID-19 vaccines, saying they help reduce severity and death when one contracts the disease.

“There is no guarantee that if you get COVID-19, you will get immunity. In fact, you may get serious illnesses and die or have debilitating symptoms that may persist for months.

“Even if you survive the disease, you may only develop short-term antibody protection after recovery from COVID-19. We do not know how long protection lasts. Therefore, vaccination is the best protection and it is safe,” he said.

UNICEF says vaccines save millions of lives each year and a COVID-19 vaccine could save yours.

“The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, providing strong protection against serious illness and death.

“WHO reports that unvaccinated people have at least 10 times higher risk of death from COVID-19 than someone who has been vaccinated.

“It is important to be vaccinated as soon as it’s your turn, even if you already had COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is a safer way for you to develop immunity from COVID-19 than getting infected.”