Health
Over 400m doses of Covid-19 vaccines administered globally
More than 400 million doses of vaccines have been given around the world as of Thursday, acccording to an AFP tally.
Despite the suspension of the AstraZeneca shot in more than a dozen countries, vaccination campaigns against Covid-19 continue to pick up speed, the count based on official sources found.
In a sign of how the pace is picking up, the last 100 million people vaccinated got their jabs in 11 days — six times faster than it took to give the first 100 million.
By Thursday at 1630 GMT at least 402.3 million doses had been administered in more than 158 countries around the world.
While rich countries have fared best, vaccination in the poorer countries is at last starting under the free Covax programme.
– Israel goes further ahead –
Israel is still leading the race by far, with nearly three out of five of its population having received at least one dose. Around a half of Israeli have received a second dose.
The United Kingdom (38 percent), the United Arab Emirates (between 35 and 70 percent), Chile (28 percent), the United States (22 percent), Bahrain (22 percent) and Serbia (16 percent by March 12) are also doing well.
In terms of pure numbers, the US is way ahead with 113 million jabs given before China with 65 million (as of March 14), India (39 million) and the UK with 27.6 million.
European Union countries have given 54.4 million doses to 8.5 percent of the bloc’s population.
– Poorer countries now benefit –
Out of 13 of the poorest countries which have started their vaccination campaigns, nine started in early March using vaccines delivered for free under the Covax scheme launched by the World Health Organization, the Gavi vaccine alliance and the Cepi coalition.
Only 0.1 percent of the doses injected around the world were were given in these poor countries, home to nine percent of the global population. In contrast, the richest countries — which have 16 percent of humanity — have had 58 percent of the doses. More than a quarter of all doses given so far (28 percent) were in the US.
– AstraZeneca in lead –
The vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University has already been administered in some 100 countries or territories, outshining its competitors.
Although low cost, it is being widely used in richer countries such as the UK and the EU as well as in poorer countries, thanks to the Covax scheme.
It is also being administered in India, where it is also made. The Swedish-British vaccine has however been dogged by problems, after blood clots were observed in a number of vaccinated people. But the EU regular said Thursday that it was not linked to an increased risk of blood clots.
– Where jabs are being used –
The vaccines produced by US-German Pfizer/BioNTech — which is being used in more than 70 countries — and the American Moderna, used in more than 40, are more expensive and harder to store. They are mainly used in the rich countries.
Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, in use in more than 20 countries, and China’s Sinopharm and Sinovac jabs — which are used in 20 and a dozen countries respectively — have been administered mostly in their home markets as well as emerging and developing countries.
The American Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the first to require just one dose, has been approved in the US, Canada and the EU but has so far only been rolled out in the US and South Africa.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ordered the immediate closure of the Gomboru drug market in Maiduguri following severe flooding that submerged the area and contaminated the drugs sold within the market.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, NAFDAC disclosed that the decision was made after reports surfaced that contaminated drugs, which had been washed and sun-dried for resale, were being sold at the market.
“After the recent flooding in Maiduguri that submerged the Gomboru drug market where contaminated drugs were washed and sun-dried for resale, the @DGatNAFDAC ordered the immediate closure of the market to conduct a thorough shop-to-shop removal of these compromised drugs,” the agency wrote.
The flooding, which ravaged Maiduguri, was triggered by the rupture of the Alau dam on the Ngadda River, located 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the city.
The floodwaters claimed at least 30 lives and displaced 400,000 residents, leaving large parts of the city and surrounding areas in devastation.
NAFDAC’s intervention is aimed at safeguarding public health by preventing the sale and consumption of contaminated drugs.
The agency has mobilized teams to inspect the market and ensure the removal of all compromised pharmaceutical products.
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State has expressed deep concern following the recent outbreak of cholera cases in the state.
Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated water and food, poses significant health risks, particularly in densely populated areas with inadequate sanitation.
Oseni urged residents of Oyo State, especially those in his constituency, to prioritise hygiene practices and strictly adhere to recommended safety measures, emphasising the critical importance of proactive measures to halt the disease’s spread.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, the state capital, the lawmaker underscored the necessity of maintaining clean water sources and practicing proper sanitation methods.
“Cholera outbreaks can be significantly reduced if we all take responsibility for our hygiene habits and ensure our surroundings are clean,” he stated.
The APC chieftain also stressed the urgency of seeking prompt medical attention at the first signs of symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, which are characteristic of cholera.
“Early detection and treatment are crucial in combating cholera and preventing its spread. Access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation are fundamental rights that must be upheld, especially during health crises like this,” he asserted.
Oseni further called for unity and collective action in combating the cholera outbreak.
He expressed confidence that through concerted efforts and vigilant adherence to preventive measures, communities can contain and ultimately overcome this challenging public health issue.
“By working together, maintaining vigilance, and prioritising hygiene practices, we can effectively mitigate the impact of cholera on our communities,” the lawmaker concluded.
Resident doctors at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Ondo State have initiated a 14-day warning strike, as confirmed by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The strike action, led by the association’s President, John Matthew, highlights various grievances, notably the non-payment of seven months’ salaries to new members.
Matthew added that the strike also addresses the non-payment of palliative to House Officers since February, the failure to disburse the February Hazard Allowance despite prior assurances from the state government, and the ongoing shortage of staff due to resignations.
Matthew lamented the drastic decrease in resident doctors, citing a decrease from 150 doctors to a mere 26 in recent months.
In response to the situation, he urged management to prioritise the full payment of arrears owed to members, immediate payment of the February 2024 palliative to house officers, and prompt disbursement of the February hazard allowance.
The association further called for urgent measures to address the critical shortage of clinical manpower within the institution.
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