Covid-19 vaccination: Gov Emmanuel dispel fears, assures citizens of safety as A’Ibom Flags-off exercise
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has encouraged residents of the state, especially those in critical sectors to openly embrace ongoing vaccination even as the state flags off the exercise yesterday.
The governor gave the charge at the flag-off of vaccination against Covid-19 pandemic at government House, Uyo.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the state government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, reminded the people that the vaccines have over the years provided protection against non-treatable diseases.
He assured of safety of the AstraZeneca Vaccine as no report of life-threatening side effect has so far been recorded.
It would be recalled that the state government on March 10, 2021, took delivery of 69,030 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the federal government.
The governor applauded the efforts of scientists and researchers who have made concerted efforts to come up with the vaccines, adding that the vaccines have been subjected to conventional safety and quality assurance processes and have gotten the approval of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other relevant bodies.
“I want to assure the people of Akwa Ibom State that the vaccines have been put through conventional safety and quality assurance processes and was largely approved by WHO and other relevant bodies
” We started administration of the vaccine on health workers and I want to assure you that we have not gotten any report of life-threatening side effect”. he assured
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Health Prof. Augustine Umoh declared that the vaccination was the last hope against non-treatable diseases and viruses.
He urged the people to step up the speed by accepting the vaccination as modality to control spread as well as protect oneself against contact or against worst form of the virus.
Prof Umoh listed those at first line charge of vaccination, based on the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency arrangement to include; Frontline health workers, other heath workers, opinion leaders, top government functionaries, security personnel and senior citizens.
Highpoint of the event was the vaccination of the representative of the Governor and Secretary to State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem and other top government functionaries as well as security chiefs.