COVID-19: Vaccines is not Haram, over 17million vaccines admistered worldwide – FG
…As EU pronounces AstraZeneca safe for use
By Deborah Christopher
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and others have sensitized religious leaders, Muslim faithfuls that covid-19 vaccine administration it is not Haram or against the teachings of Islam as over 17 million vaccines have been administered worldwide.
Ehanire made this disclosure at the National primary health care Development Agency (NPHCDA), sensitisation meeting of Muslim scholars and Imams on COVID-19 vaccine rollout on Friday in Abuja.
He revealed that about 17 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine has so far been administered in over 70 countries across the six continents.
Though reactions continue to emanate from the use of the Astrazeneca vaccine in the country, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said it was the best in keeping Nigerians safe from getting infected with Coronavirus.
He said: “There is a lot of misinformation about the Covid-19 vaccines but I want to assure you as has been confirmed by the European Medicine Agency and also by NAFDAC that the vaccine is safe.
“Most of our leaders have taken the vaccine, our religious and traditional leaders have also endorsed this vaccine, there are also Embassies and Ambassadors that have come to us to ask for this vaccine because they cannot go back home to take it.
“This vaccine has virtually passed all the quality test by the WHO and NAFDAC. The two organizations have given the AstraZeneca vaccine a clean bill of health.
“As far as government is concerned, AstraZeneca vaccine is the best so far, it is what we are using and it is working for us. The vaccine is being used in over 70 countries in six continent of the world and there is no side effect. About 17 million doses of the vaccine has administered globally and 37 cases of blood clothing has been reported which is very insignificant.
“Although NPHCDA and state governments have put in place security measures to secure the vaccine, we also ask everybody to be vigilant about its use, safe keeping and to report any negative activities to the Police or Ministry of Health.”
Also the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha in his speech advised Nigerians to remain cautious and keep staying safe by adhering to all the covid-19 rules as some countries were already experiencing a third wave of the pandemic.
He called on the Muslim scholars and religious leaders to use their exalted positions to drive the vaccination campaign in order to help Nigeria achieve immunity to the virus.
“I wish to reiterate that the virus is very potent and people still get infected. It has been reported that some countries are recording a third wave of cases. I therefore urge all Nigerians to recognize that we are not yet out of the woods. The PTF shall continue to emphasise and promote the strict adherence to the NPIs and for people to take the vaccines.
“Another and more lasting layer of prevention is the COVID-19 Vaccination rollout to enable us achieve herd immunity so that we can have our lives back to normal. As leaders of the Islamic faith and custodians of the people’s religious values, have a great role to play in guiding our people aright.”
This was inline with statement made by, the Executive Director/CEO National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib that the health and safety of the Nigerian citizens is of utmost priority.
According to the statement made available to Nigerian NewsDirect Newspaper by the Head Public Relations of NPHCDA, Mr. Mohammad Ohitoto recently, noted that,
“Administering safe and effective vaccines is a vital component in solving the COVID-19 pandemic.”
He also noted that “Regulators and vaccine safety experts have a duty to investigate if an adverse effect is detected in order to determine whether it is caused by the vaccine.”
He also noted that “Regulators and vaccine safety experts have a duty to investigate if an adverse effect is detected in order to determine whether it is caused by the vaccine.”
