The Presidential Tasks Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has insisted that Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is safe for Nigerians despite the growing global concerns over possible side effects.
The National Incident Manager (NIM) of the PTF on COVID-19, Dr. Mukhtar Muhammad, made this known on Monday in Abuja at the joint national briefing of the taskforce.
According to Muhammad, the clinical trials had shown that the side effects are “generally mild’’.
He said that the WHO had in the last three days, through a series of briefings, vouched for the vaccine’s safety and efficacy, and that it had been proven that it had about 70 per cent efficacy level.
He, however, advised those who might have received the vaccine, but who have felt symptoms of its reactions for more than 24 hours, to report through the appropriate channels at the state level.
“The arrival of the vaccines is something that is very good and exciting in the sense that a combination of the vaccine and the non-pharmaceutical interventions can help us see the light at the end of the tunnel within a very short period of time.
“However, we have suffered a major setback in the last few hours, regarding the content safety and efficacy of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.
“We have seen in the news how some countries have deferred the usage of this vaccine or have suspended its use. That list of the European countries is growing.
“However, it is very reassuring to see that the regulatory agencies in those countries have continued to emphasise that the vaccine is safe and that the incidence of blood clots reported in the patients is not higher than the risk of blood clotting in people who are not vaccinated. That is really something reassuring.
Some countries in Europe have suspended the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine over concerns that the jab may cause blood clots, even though medicine regulators and the WHO say there is no evidence of any problem.
Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the Netherlands became the latest countries to pause the rollout of the vaccine on Monday.
Norway, Denmark and Bulgaria suspended their programmes last week.
In the same vein, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has reassured Nigerians that the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 is safe.
The Executive Secretary, NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, said the vaccine has been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration (NAFDAC).
Shuaib said the low cost nature of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine does not make it inferior.
“We are working closely with NAFDAC to monitor any unusual adverse reaction to the vaccine.
“In addition to other measures that we have outlined for the vaccine roll out, NAFDAC has introduced a safety app for people to download and install on their phones.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the federal government through the PTF on COVID-19 is fully committed to a safe and successful COVID-19 vaccination in the country.
“No safety and efficacy standards have been compromised in the decision of government to introduce the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
“It is important to note that none of the approved brand of COVID-19 vaccines is inferior. Understandably, the Oxford/ AstraZeneca vaccine relatively costs less than the other available brands of COVID-19 vaccines.
“However, this is not because it is inferior. It is because AstraZeneca which partners with Oxford to produce the vaccine decided and announced that they would not be making profit during this pandemic.
“As you well know, the AstraZeneca vaccine is being used in many parts of the world. Even after the roll out suspension by some European countries over certain concerns raised, the WHO and its vaccine advisory committee has advised that there is no reason to stop using the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.
“Similarly, the UK regulators have also determine that evidence does not suggest that the vaccine causes blood cloth.”
The NPHCDA, in a statement on March 11 said it would continue to monitor the developments regarding the ”ABV5300” batch.
“As we await the outcome of the investigations, it is important to clearly state that Nigeria did not receive any doses from the batch of vaccines which is at issue,” the agency said in the statement.
“Vaccinations in Nigeria started earlier this month and we have not observed any similar adverse reactions. All side effects reported by those who have been administered the vaccine have been mild.
“We are satisfied that the clinical evidence indicates the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to be safe and effective.
”Our assessment is in line with countries such as Spain and the UK who have indicated that they will continue to administer the vaccine, because it remains an important tool to protect against COVID-19,” it said.
The agency said Nigeria did not receive any doses from the batch of vaccines which is at issue.
Austria has suspended rollout of the COVID-19 batch and launched investigations following the death of one.
Similarly, other countries like Denmark, Norway and Iceland have also suspended AstraZeneca shots after reports of blood clots in people who have been vaccinated.
Investigations are currently being conducted to determine if the batch is in any way linked to any observed side effects.
