By Elizabeth Kah
Residents in some local government councils of Bauchi state, are rejecting COVID-19 vaccine while expressing mixed reactions on its safety, efficacy and quality.
The residents, in their various responses, opined that different negative narratives on social media platforms and individual experiences, have gained grounds for taking the jabs.
The various testimonies were gathered by our correspondent, Elizebeth Kah from Bauchi state.
It could be recalled that Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed was announced as the first index case in the state on 26th March, 2020 after which the state has recorded several cases with of the pandemic.
While the Nigerian government is making efforts to produce vaccine and conduct research on the virus as well as its cure, citizen in the country were introduced to the use of AstraZeneca vaccine.
When the vaccine first arrived in the country, the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), the first category of citizens that received the vaccine, were frontline workers, including health workers, security agents, the media, top politicians, traditional and religious leaders.
So far, the Bauchi State Primary HealthCare Development Agency has received 80,750 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and another 24,270 doses totaling 105,020 doses.
Part of the line up program for the commencement of the exercise was a rollout sensitization campaign by the state task force on COVID-19 across the 20 local government councils in the state.
Other strategies employed to create awareness on the vaccine include the involvement of media in developing key messages in their reportage, jingles, announcements, discussion programs, among others.
One of the residents who spoke with ASHENEWS, Abdulrahaman Bala said that information around the virus and the invention period of the vaccine made him not to accept the exercise.
“I will not take the vaccine because there is no disease like coronavirus; it’s just the western world that is playing over our intelligence.
“At first, the government said that the vaccine was provided for frontline workers; so why should I take it when I am just a laborer,” he said.
Abdulrasheed Saleh is a sickle cell patient who, despite knowing the vaccine could be a measure to avert complications, yet shunned the exercise on personal grounds.
“Government is secretive with information about the disease and the vaccine.
“I was told the vaccine administered by the governor is different from that of others. I also hear that there is a microchip that is injected in one’s body.
Also, Mr Najib Sani, a psychotherapist expressed dissatisfaction over the process and incubation period of the vaccine.
“There are many diseases like HIV, Malaria, Tuberculosis, even diabetics. Women are dying daily due to pregnancy-related complications and yet no vaccine has been produced to address these problems. So why that of Covid -19.”
Sani Adamu, a resident in Ningi local government area told our reporter that he was among the first to take the vaccine even though people discouraged him.
“I know the importance of vaccines; that’s why I was delighted to take the Covid-19 vaccination. I had no side effects and have taken my second Jab.”
To Lami Haruna, a housewife in Ganjuwa local government, the vaccine was a necessity as she is diabetic and would want any complication from COVID-19.
“I have been administered with insulin injection for my condition so why should I run away from coronavirus?”
Suleiman Umar, a farmer also from Ningi local government, said that the vaccine has no effect.
“I took the vaccine to prove some of the speculations wrong and invalid.”
Mrs Aisha Bello, a sickle cell patient said that the vaccine came in as relief.
According to her, for the past 35 years, she has been battling with sickle cell anemia and would not allow COVID19 to complicate her health conditions.
“Since February when the first index case was reported in Nigeria, I have been living in fear wondering what will happen to me.
“As soon as the vaccine was made available to the.public, I had the jab for safety and healthy measures,” she said.
Dr Ibrahim Magari of the ATBU Teaching Hospital Bauchi said seeing that the governor received the vaccine made him follow suit
Mr. Mohammed Inuwa of Bauchi local government said the government expressed doubt on the adverse effect as speculation on the authenticity of the vaccine.
“The awareness is limited and the fact that the first roll out was meant for frontline workers and later opened for all puts a question mark in my mind,” he said.
Mrs Fatima Bello lamented on the level of awareness on assigned facilities for the exercise.
Mrs Grace Daniels, a resident in Bauchi local government, expressed non compliant attitude on Covid-19 vaccine and the move by the western block to harm African.
“At the onset, those developed countries said Africans will die as a result of Covid-19.
“And when Africans did not die of the disease, the vaccine was introduced to kill us,” she said.
However, statistics revealed that Bauchi state has recorded 97. 9% coverage for the first dose.
The executive secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency in Dr Rilwanu Mohammed said that most of the frontline workers have been vaccinated.
“The vaccination was also extended to traditional, Religious leaders, all intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and Israel and interested members of the public.”
He noted that the agency has continued with its enlightenment campaign and is working with the Nigeria Red Cross and other partners to mobilize people.
Dr Mohammed debunked rumors of major side effects and the injection of microchips as contained in videos making rounds on social media.
He said that the vaccines were available in all general hospitals across the state.
Speaking on why some people reject the vaccine, Dr Maigari of the Infectious Unit of ATBU Teaching Hospital Bauchi said Covid -19 is a new disease. It’s clinical analysis is still ongoing and the race to develop the vaccine has raised doubts in the minds of many.
“Even doctors are not fully aware of all aspects of the vaccine which is why government must intensify education and enlightenment to address misinformation.”
He noted that there was development in science which is why the vaccine came out in a short period.
“The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine had to go through inspection by the National Agency For Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, which certified it fit for use in Nigeria.
“The recent rumors of the vaccine having microchips is false.
Dr Maigari noted that the vaccine is necessary to build community immunity as there are indications not all will be vaccinated.
Our correspondent learnt that the vaccine was exhausted in various facilities in the state.
*This article is part of Covid-19 Response: Together For Reliable Information Project Implemented by PAGED Initiative supported by the EU & FreePress Unlimited.
