…Says Only Eligible Persons for Phase One Will Be Vaccinated.
As the COVID vaccination exercise resumes today, March 22, 2021, at the 88 approved vaccination sites across Lagos after the weekend break, the State Government has advised eligible persons, who fit into the first phase of the vaccination exercise, to observe and ensure strict adherence to COVID protocols and instructions given by officials when they visit the locations.
The State Governnent also reiterated that ONLY persons who fit into Phase One of the vaccination exercise such as healthcare workers, COVID-19 response team (RRT), ports of entry staff, laboratory network, judiciary, military, police, other security agencies, petrol station workers, teachers, press, other frontline workers and persons of age 70 years above will be attended to at the vaccination sites.
Speaking over the weekend after reviewing a report of the weeklong phase one vaccination rollout campaign in Lagos, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi advised eligible persons, who are scheduled to be vaccinated under phase one of the exercise, to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres, wear a face mask and ensure proper hand hygiene at the vaccination sites.
The Commissioner, while noting that the COVID-19 protocols are still in place, especially at public places and events requiring the gathering of people, stated that security personnel have been stationed at vaccination sites to provide security, maintain order and ensure adherence to the COVID protocols.
Abayomi said, “We understand that there is a great demand for the COVID vaccine in Lagos leading to increase in activities at our various vaccination sites. This has brought to fore the need to ensure strict adherence to COVID protocols as well as accountability and security for officials, citizens and the cold chain mechanism at the sites.
“We want to avoid crowding and the resultant spread of the COVID infection at the vaccination sites. This is why we are appealing to persons who are not categorised in phase one of the vaccination exercise to keep off the vaccination sites”, he stated.
The Commissioner also urged eligible citizens who fit into Phase One of the vaccination exercise to pre-register for the vaccine via https://www.nphcdaict.com.ng or https://www.vaccination.gov.ng before proceeding to any of the vaccination sites for quick and seamless process.
Speaking on the safety and side effects of the vaccine, the Commissioner for Health stated that Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID vaccine has been declared safe by the World Health Organisation and approved by NAFDAC for administration.
His words: “Like most vaccines, the Oxford-AstraZeneca also has some common side effects, which typically only last for 24 to 48 hours. Some of these common adverse events that could be experienced include pain or tenderness at the injection spot, tiredness, chills, joint pains, headache, fever, muscle pain and nausea.
“Health workers have been extensively trained on the administration of the vaccine and vaccine safety and the aftercare of vaccination. Should any of these side effects become problematic, kindly call the number of the LGA Disease Surveillance Notification Officer (DSNO) provided at the back of the vaccination card for guidance and return to the same health facility where the vaccine was administered for further investigations and treatment”, he said.
Abayomi urged all vaccinated persons to download the MED SAFETY app monitored by NAFDAC, adding that the app can be downloaded on the iOS Store or Google Play store, and can be used to report any untoward event experienced after vaccination or any other Adverse Drug Reactions experienced with the use of concomitant drugs.
He noted that the objective of the phased rollout plan is to first vaccinate people who are vulnerable to the COVID infection.
