A’Ibom deputy takes COVID-19 vaccine

…Says vaccination protection not transferable

The Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, has received his first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, calling on the people to submit themselves to the ongoing vaccination exercise.

Speaking after the vaccination in Uyo on Thursday, Ekpo reminded the people that the protection offered by the vaccine was not transferable but in the exclusive interest of those vaccinated.

He said this in reaction to reports that some persons had insisted they would only receive the vaccine after the state governor and his deputy had been vaccinated.

“The protection offered by the vaccine is not transferable but in the exclusive interest of those vaccinated,” Ekpo said.

He, therefore, urged the people to submit themselves to the ongoing vaccination.

Ekpo said that the vaccine had been approved by the state government because of its safety and verified efficacy.

He reminded the people that COVID-19 was real and was still very much around with us.

Ekpo advised that in spite of the vaccination, the people should still continue to abide by all the safety protocols issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

It was reported that on hand to observe the administration of the vaccine on the deputy governor was the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh.

Others include Dr Fakeyede Laide, a representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abuja.

The vaccine was administered on the deputy governor by Mrs Ekaette Ukpong, a nurse with the state Primary Health Care Agency, with a certificate of vaccination, thereafter, issued to him.