The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has reassured Nigerians that the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is safe.
The Executive Secretary, NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, said the vaccine has been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO)and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration (NAFDAC).
Dr. Shuaib said the low cost nature of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine does not make it inferior.
“We are working closely with NAFDAC to monitor any unusual adverse reaction to the vaccine”.
“In addition to other measures that we have outlined for the vaccine roll out, NAFDAC has introduced a safety app for people to download and install on their phones.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the federal government through the PTF on COVID-19 is fully committed to a safe and successful COVID-19 vaccination in the country.
“However, this is not because it is inferior. It is because AstraZeneca which partners with Oxford to produce the vaccine decided and announced that they would not be making profit during this pandemic”.
“As you well know, the AstraZeneca vaccine is being used in many parts of the world. Even after the roll out suspension by some European countries over certain concerns raised, the WHO and its vaccine advisory committee has advised that there is no reason to stop using the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.
“Similarly, the UK regulators have also determined that evidence does not suggest that the vaccine causes blood cloth”.
The agency said Nigeria did not receive any doses from the batch of vaccines which is at issue.
Austria has suspended rollout of the COVID-19 batch and launched investigations following the death of one.
Similarly, other countries like Denmark, Norway and Iceland have also suspended AstraZeneca shots after reports of blood clots in people who have been vaccinated.
Investigations are currently being conducted to determine if the batch is in any way linked to any observed side effects.
(NAN)
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