COVID vaccine

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has announced that 256 new people have been diagnosed with the deadly Coronavirus in the country.

The NCDC disclosed 52 new cases of the virus on their verified Facebook page on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. This brought the total number of confirmed cases within one week to 256. 

The 52 new cases were reported in Lagos, Rivers, FCT and Delta State. While Lagos tops the chart of states with most cases, others like Imo and Kano featured prominently in the reported diagnosis.

According to the NCDC report, the 52 new patients made the total number of people confirmed to be affected with the virus to 256 404, while the total number of discharged patients was put at 250,137. The number of people who were confirmed to have died due to the virus was put at 3,144. This made the fatality rate about 3% of the total confirmed cases. 

However, many Nigerians do not believe in the existence of Coronavirus, and this poses a significant challenge to the administration of vaccines. Many others believe in its existence but are sceptical of the situation being used as a conduit pipe for government officials to divert public funds.

Muhammad Sabiu

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has urged people to try as much as possible to get vaccinated against coronavirus, especially “at a time when Omicron variant is surfacing.”

This was disclosed by the group’s project manager, Hamza Ibrahim, during a press conference held on December 8, 2021, in Kano.

The enlightenment exercise is part of the group’s project, tagged “Public Education on COVID Vaccine.”

Lamenting how people reject the vaccine, CITAD said, “There are misconceptions and conspiracy theories around the vaccine that some government officials in the state have which has also been a serious problem to getting people vaccinated, this has not only demoralized many people, but it has also reinforced their disbelief and rejection of the vaccine.”

Mr Ibrahim raised the alarm that despite the negative impact the pandemic has on the country, only 3% of Nigerians are vaccinated, adding that this is disturbing at a moment when Omicron has emerged.

He strongly advised all unvaccinated Nigerians to, as a matter of urgency, quickly go and take the vaccine, adding that authorities concerned should do everything possible to enlighten the public on the misconceptions making the rounds about the vaccine.

“We urge stakeholders and opinion leaders in Plateau state to work together to address misconception theories on COVID and its vaccination as well as enlighten the public on the relevance of the vaccine.”

“We plead to authorities in Borno state to ensure the provision of sufficient seals to the vaccination spots and motivate vaccination staff by paying their allowances.”

“We advise people to disregard fake narratives around the vaccine as the narratives were not scientifically proven. Reputable health agencies have confirmed the efficiency of the vaccine as such people should disregard the rumours,” he said.