COVID-19: Vaccine not ploy for Birth Control – Osun Health Commissioner
Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo
Osun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu, has debunked the rumour that the government was planning to use the COVID-19 vaccine as a ploy to make Nigerians sterile to control the population.
The Commissioner said the COVID-19 vaccines that is being distributed by the Federal Government is not a birth control measure by the government.
Isamotu also maintained that, notwithstanding the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in the state, testing and isolation of infected persons will be intensified in Osun as the non-pharmaceutical safety measures remain the most proven strategy in reducing community transmission.
He called on citizens of Osun not to allow the rumours provoke fear in them, adding that the vaccines have no side effects that can adversely affect the human body.
He revealed that although no particular date has been set for the commencement of vaccination in Osun, the national distribution of the vaccines commences on Monday and that the training of health workers will precede the administration of the vaccines in the state.
The Commissioner disclosed that the vaccines will be administered in two jabs, the second coming after about three months interval from the first.
Also cementing on the management of the vaccination in the State, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Oluwole Fabiyi, said Osun was prepared to receive the vaccines, as cold chains for storing them have been established in the state
He revealed that Osun has 332 solar freezers, which means each Ward has a storage facility.
Fabiyi added that since about 40,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses will be coming to the state, the vaccination will be done in four phases.
“The first phase will be for frontline and health workers. The second phase will be for the elderly and those that are morbidly ill and the last phase for those that are 15 years and above.
“For now, research has not shown that it can be administered on children. So it is for people who are 15 years and above,” Fabiyi declared.
