AstraZeneca Vaccine: 8,439 mild adverse reaction cases recorded in Nigeria — FG
…Records Zero case of blood clothing
The federal government said it has recorded 8,439 mild adverse cases out of 1,071,346 vaccinated people since the AstraZeneca vaccination started in March.
Also, it said there are zero cases of blood clothing recorded from AstraZeneca vaccination in Nigeria so far.
The National Primary Health Care Executive Director (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib disclosed this in a joint press conference with World Health Organization (WHO), on the status of COVID-19 vaccination update in Nigeria at Abuja on Friday.
He stated that the reaction ranged from nausea, vomiting, body pains, swelling at the sight of the inoculation, fever, diarrhoea, headache, allergy reactions and dizziness as recorded in five states includimg Lagos, Yobe, Kebbi, Cross River and Kaduna.
Shuaib said that Kaduna State recorded the highest rate of Events Following Immunization (AEFI) with 970 cases, followed by Cross River State with 859 cases, Yobe comes third with 541 cases, Kebbi 511 cases and Lagos 448 cases of adverse events as recorded respectively.
He also noted that 52 persons were recorded with moderate to severe adverse events at inoculation
Faisal noted that there has been no case of death or blood clot recorded from the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Nigeria.
While he noted further that the administration of the vaccine in the country has been marked with utmost safety, efficiency, best practice, and speed.
He also said 1,071,346 persons representing 53.2 percent of the eligible persons targeted at the administration of the first phase of the covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccine has been administered with their first dose vaccination.
Shuaib also stated that the agency is working with National Centre for Disease Control(NCDC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and other relevant agencies to set up more active surveillance system built on the experience during the fight against polio
He also commented on the alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 vaccines at Falomo clinic, Lagos State, he said investigations have revealed the reports were inaccurate and do not represent what transpired in the mentioned locations.
“At this stage, different countries are taking different approaches. In Nigeria, since the vaccination program was officially rolled out on 15th of April 2021, a total of 8,439 mild Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) have been reported.
“When incidents, no matter how rare, appear in populations receiving the vaccine, relevant authorities must investigate to determine whether there may be a connection between the medical incident and the vaccine.
“There has been no death from administration of the vaccine. We have also not diagnosed any case of blood clots related to the administration of the vaccines. Nevertheless, we are working with NAFDAC, NCDC and other relevant agencies to set up a more active surveillance system built on our experience with polio surveillance
“Even the initial changes experienced by Kogi State citizens in accessing the vaccines has been resolved by the presidential steering committee (PSC) on COVID-19. As you are aware, about 16,900 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines was delivered to the state and they have since launched their COVID-19 vaccination programme. We are gratified to say that it is going very well.
“One thing that the PSC and the Lagos State Government are aligned behind, is zero tolerance to diversion of COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccine is free to all Nigerians irrespective of social standing.”
Shuaib noted that the inoculation of frontline health workers have been completed in many states and vaccination has proceeded to the elderly particularly those within the age of 65 years and above.
Shuaib expressed his worry over persons who were skipping the eligibility lines to access the vaccines before it got to their turn noting that with willing accomplices, it will not come as a surprise that some may succeed in receiving the vaccine ahead of frontline health and other workers,
He remarked that such persons should engage in soul search and ask themselves if such attitude was ethically and morally right
On the global shortfall of COVID-19 vaccines, the ED noted that Nigeria has reassessed its vaccine supply forecasts and taken the decision that everyone who has taken the vaccine in the current phase would get the second dose before the next consignment is delivered to Nigeria
Country Representative, World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr. Walter Mulombo who raised concerns over the COVID-19 vaccine equity amongst countries, noted that the WHO was working assiduously towards ensuring countries like Nigeria without the means to acquire or manufacture the vaccines, have access to the vaccines to immunise their citizenry.
“More than 200 million doses have been administered, its only those countries which have less than 50 percent of the global population that will manage, acquire distribute the vaccines available and some countries are even storing the vaccine for possible future use while other countries are yet to assess.
“For Nigeria being among the few countries outside that group, WHO is currently engaging the G7 and G20 to try and increase pressure on those countries hoarding the vaccines so that they will redistribute the vaccines and make them available through the COVAX facility or bilateral agreements to countries that need them the most
“WHO is also engaging the manufacturers for technology transfer so that we can have more sites that will manufacture the vaccines in order to scale up production but we have to recognise that we are facing challenges even within the COVAX facility.”
