By Williams Anuku, Abuja
In an apparent move to denounce conspiracy theories associated with the COVID-19 vaccines, President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Yemi Osinbajo publicly took jabs of the vaccine on Saturday.
While Buhari had his own administered at exactly 11:51 am, Osinbajo took his at 11: 57 am.
Theirs came shortly after some frontline health workers were vaccinated publicly on Friday at the National Hospital in Abuja.
It was preceded by the e-registration of President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo and the filling out of their vaccination cards by the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib.
The vaccination of Buhari was done by Chief Personal Physician to the President, Dr Suhayb Rafindadi Sanusi after which he was presented with the e-vaccination card by Dr Shuaib at 11:59 am.
Osinbajo was vaccinated by his personal physician, Dr Nicholas Audifferen and was also presented with the e-vaccination card by Dr Shuaib by 11:59 am.
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said the jab is painless, a narrow gauge syringe was used with a small quantity injected in the upper arm. He said the after-effects are mild and little discomfort follows in the area that was injected.
Buhari in his short remarks said he took the jab as a demonstration of leadership and faith in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, even as he commends it to all eligible Nigerians, “to do same so that we can be protected from the virus.”
He said: “Dear Compatriots, Since the beginning of the year 2020, humanity has remained under the burden of COVID-19 pandemic, an unseen but very potent enemy around the world. “Infection from the virus has resulted in over two million and five hundred thousand fatalities and destroyed several global and national systems.
“The response in Nigeria and the ECOWAS sub-region has been robust, collaborative and united. It was driven by a collective knowledge of the fact that no country is safe until every country is safe’.
“The speedy development of the COVID-19 vaccines is quite significant and underscores the collective resolve of humanity to overcome the pandemic. Similarly, the collaborative effort to ensure equal access has brought relief to poor and developing countries.
“I have been assured by the Presidential Task Force that the AstraZeneca vaccine which Nigeria has accessed, will arrive in batches beginning with the first batch of about four million doses already received. I am similarly aware of the rollout and administration plan to cater to over seventy per cent of our population between the year 2021 and2022.
“Yesterday, our frontline medical personnel, top on the priority list, were vaccinated. Today, as a demonstration of leadership and faith in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, I have received my first jab and I wish to commend it to all eligible Nigerians, to do the same so that we can be protected from the virus.
“I urge all state governments, traditional and religious leaders, to take the lead in the mobilization effort within their environment and spheres of influence. The vaccine offers hope for a safe country, free of Coronavirus, I similarly urge all eligible Nigerians to present themselves and be vaccinated in accordance with the order of priority already mapped out, at the various authorized designated centres only.
“I congratulate the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on the successful multi-sectoral approach to the management of this pandemic.”
President Buhari acknowledged and commended the support of Governments, our donors, development partners, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders as well as critical stakeholders who have supported Nigeria thus far. I assure you that the resources will be equitably administered.”
The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who described the day as memorable in the life of the country, said it was made possible because of the starling leadership qualities President Buhari provided in the national response to COVID-19.
He said with the vaccination of the President, and the Vice President, they have demonstrated leadership “by offering themselves for the Nigerian people to believe in this Safety and the efficacy of the vaccines that we have procured and it’s being deployed.”
Mustapha reiterated that soon no one will be able to travel without being vaccinated.
The vaccines will be done in four phases and advised Nigerians not to listen to conspiracy theories but to take the vaccines because it is safe and is for the benefits of all.
He added: “I think vaccine hesitancy would have to give way to the reality. Because the truth about it Your Excellency, is that very soon, nobody will be able to travel the world, unless you produce the certificate that we have been given. I have not confirmed but reliably, some countries have started putting restrictions on receiving visitors, even exercising activities of their faith without a COVID 19 vaccinations.
