Benue deputy gov doubts safety, efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine

  



Benue State Government Tuesday disclosed that it will flag off the  administration of  the Covid-19 vaccination  Thursday.
However, the state’s deputy governor and chairman of the State Action Committee on COVID-19, Engr Benson Abounu, has expressed reservation over the efficacy and safety of the Astrazeneca vaccine.


Speaking in an interview with newsmen after his committee’s meeting in Makurdi,  Deputy Governor  Abounu said only those wishing to receive the vaccine would be given.
He said based on news report,12 European nations had suspended the administration of the vaccine.


The deputy governor said  it was reported that some persons who took the vaccine were experiencing blood clotting, a condition dangerous to human health.

“Blood clotting is a serious medical issue. This is because all blood flows through the veins in the body all the way to the brain, and should there be a clot somewhere,  the blood stops and cannot go further and then you have a big trouble.
“Another issue again is that the manufacturers of Astrazeneca, which incidentally came to Nigeria, have been granted indemnities.
“This means that should anyone take the vaccine and experience adverse effects including death,  the manufacturers would not be held liable either would the government held liable and nobody will be paid any compensation.


“So, since we are having this challenge, it is obviously in a good stead to take it voluntarily.
“So, you see we cannot say examples must be made by way of starting the vaccination with the Governor, Deputy Governor, State Executive Council Members and State Assembly members and others,”Abounu said.
The committee however said more than 123 medical teams would be dispatched to the 23 local government areas, while research pillars of the committee would be out to monitor the vaccination and give feedback for possible adverse effect and referral.

Leave a Reply