Despite the suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine by some European countries over fear of possible deadly side effects, Nigeria will continue with the jab administration.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, says suspending the vaccine would amount to a fire brigade approach.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Health, also says the agency is fully aware of the safety concerns raised but stressed that the concerns are regarding a specific batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine named ABV5300.
The agency, in a statement through its public relations officer, Mohammad Ohitoto, said investigations are being conducted to determine if the batch is in any way linked to an observed side effect.
It emphasized that Nigeria did not receive any doses from the batch of vaccines that is at issue.
Recall that the AstraZeneca vaccine was developed by a British firm called AstraZeneca, working in partnership with Oxford University. It arrived in Nigeria on March 2nd, 2021 and received both commendations and widespread criticism with many referring to it as the least potent of all vaccines produced.
So far, countries like Iceland Denmark, Norway, Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Luxembourg have suspended its administration as precautionary measures over reports relating to blood clots and other side effects caused by the vaccine.
But Nigeria continues its administration as health agencies insist no adverse reaction has been observed and urged Nigerians who are among those being prioritized in the current phase not to lose their confidence and enthusiasm in taking the jab.
