“COVID-19 vaccines carry a certain amount of risk” – Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire informs Nigerians ahead of vaccination

Ahead of the nationwide vaccination, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has informed Nigerians that the COVID19 vaccines carry a certain amount of risk when applied.

On February 11, the World Health Organisation, WHO, released a document detailing the use and risks associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Ehanire at the press briefing by the presidential task force (PTF) on COVID19 on Monday, February 15, said arrangements have been made for effective distribution of the vaccines that are expected to arrive Nigeria by the end of February.

“It is important to stress that all COVID-19 vaccines carry a certain amount of risk, and any vaccine not approved by the federal ministry of health through its agencies cannot be used in Nigeria.

“The government will not be responsible for the safety or efficacy of vaccines given outside the framework of the government. All the needs of Nigeria have been carefully calculated by NPHCDA, and it is possible to accommodate all interests in the framework.

“We have continued to work on the rollout of our COVID-19 vaccines, when they arrive. This morning, I inaugurated the vaccine coordination committee, an inter-ministerial, multi-sectoral committee to address diverse issues peculiar to COVID-19 vaccine acquisition by Nigeria. Their function is to advise on coordinating access to acquisition and distribution of vaccines when available, and on our immunisation strategy.

“The ministry of health also engaged the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT), who informed us of the free allocation of 1.4 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, of which 500,000 doses are expected by the end of this month, courtesy of MTN donation of seven million doses to Africa. The balance of 900,000 doses for Nigeria is expected by the end of March 2021. Other sources of vaccines are under negotiation.”Ehanire said