Abuja, 25 March, 2021 - Frontline health workers in Lagos State who have received the Oxford/AstraZeneca Vaccine expressed optimism that the vaccine will boost the level of their immunity against the disease. They also said receiving the vaccine has increased their level of confidence in discharging their duties efficiently.

For Queen Ndochinwa, a nursing officer at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Lagos, taking the vaccine is a positive step to containing the virus and reducing the infection rate among frontline health workers who have been working tirelessly since the inception of the outbreak in Nigeria.

“I am happy that I am part of those receiving the vaccine, and I feel safe now, especially after being exposed to COVID-19 patients. Psychologically and mentally, I feel safe now. I am ready to go back to attending to my patient.  With this first dose, I have 63 per cent assurance of being protected against the disease. The protection should increase when I take the second dose, but now I feel glad that we can take the vaccine in Nigeria”, she said. 

Lagos state started its coronavirus vaccination campaign on 12 March 2021, after receiving over 500,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the COVAX facility, which arrived in Nigeria earlier this month.

Recall that on 02 March 2021, Nigeria received 3.92 million doses of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine through the COVAX Facility. The COVAX facility is co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), working in partnership with UNICEF as well as the World Bank, civil society organizations, manufacturers, and others.

COVAX is part of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, a ground-breaking global collaboration to accelerate development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines. 

The Oxford/AstraZeneca doses manufactured by the Serum Institute of India was the first wave of arrivals in Nigeria. More are expected in-country in the coming weeks.  Nigeria, on its part, has distributed the vaccines to some States and the Federal Capital Territory to kick-start the vaccination exercise.

For Dr Abimbola Bowale, the Medical Director, Infectious Diseases, Yaba, Lagos State, receiving the COVID-19 vaccine as a frontline health worker is a good step. He also encouraged Nigeria if given the opportunity to receive the vaccine as it is given to millions of people worldwide, and it has been proven safe. 

“It’s a good thing to have received the COVID-19 vaccine, as it will assure some level of protection while still observing critical Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures while attending to my patients. 

“I am confident about the science behind it. I will advise Nigeria’s who have the opportunity to get the vaccine to take it as it will protect them and their loved ones, he said. 

Meanwhile, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, who was the first recipient of the COVID-19 jab Lagos State said “the vaccine’s benefits continue to outweigh its risks, and the communication from WHO and relevant government agencies gives us the confidence to proceed with vaccination to prevent a third wave of the pandemic.”

Currently, Lagos is the epicentre of the covid-19 pandemic. This first phase of COVID-19 vaccination targets frontline health workers, laboratory staff, COVID-19 Rapid Response Team, the Police, and strategic leaders, among others.

Professor Abayomi assured Nigeria’s of the safety of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. While appreciating WHO and partners for their continuous support in containing the outbreak in Lagos State, he advised those who have the opportunity to get the vaccine to take it.

“While the vaccine is not yet available to everyone, people should continue to adhere to the laid down precautionary measure until the COVID-19 curve is flattened in the state. It would have been practically difficult for us to do the job of containing the disease alone. We have worked with partners, including WHO, to set up the Lagos State Ministry of health response and the State emergency operations centre (EOC). They also provided materials for training. The protocol we used for treatment in the state is what WHO provided”, he added.

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Dr JEAN BAPTISTE, Anne Eudes. Email: jeana [at] who.int (jeana[at]who[dot]int); Tel: +234 813 173 6281