Nigerian governors back continuous use of AstraZeneca vaccine, as countries suspend shot

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have supported the continued rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine across the country.

NGF insisted that the vaccine was safe for use, adding that no side effects had been reported by those who have so far received the jabs in Nigeria.

Anxieties about the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which had been suspended in some countries, formed part of the discussions at Wednesday’s meeting of the NGF.

The meeting which was presided over by its Chairman, the Ekiti state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, received a brief on the status of the vaccine roll out from its COVID-19 Technical Advisory Group (CTAG) led by renowned virologist, Professor Oyewale Tomori.

In its briefing, CTAG recommended that Nigeria should continue to vaccinate all eligible persons with the AstraZeneca vaccine, in line with the latest recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Responding, NGF reemphasized its belief in the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine and agreed to continuously encourage uptake of the vaccines by all eligible persons in their states.

The governors, however, called on the people to report any adverse events noticed after taking the vaccine jabs.

In his remarks, Governor Fayemi congratulated his colleagues for accepting to be vaccinated and declared that so far, the vaccines have not shown any signs of side effects as reported.

Speaking further, Fayemi urged the governors to step up their support for the Forum of Governors’ Wives, who he said was driving the campaign against gender-based violence in the country.

The governors, thereafter deliberated on illicit drugs and related crimes and pledge their support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) by providing logistics support among others, to enable the agency to deliver on its mandate.