![\"\"](\"https:\/\/guardian.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Vaccine-1-11-7-21.jpg\")
<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nShe told The Guardian that she took the\u00a0vaccine\u00a0because she believed that it was supposed to prevent the virus, but her experience after obtaining the jab was devastating.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
She said: \u201cEarlier,\u00a0we were told that we would experience minor fever,\u00a0but I had a swollen hands for more than three weeks after taking the jab,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u201cMy arm was so big that I couldn\u2019t lift it easily and I had to be assisted for more than three weeks. I operated as a one-armed person for that long. That is the reason that I am not going for the second dose\u00a0no matter the consequences,\u201d Ugonna added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Ugonna, who said that no explanation was given to her when she returned to the hospital to examine the arm, stressed: \u201cthey couldn\u2019t help me; they couldn\u2019t assist me, so\u00a0I don\u2019t want to bring more problems unto myself. That\u2019s why I decided not to take the vaccine again.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
A report in the International Journal of Tropical Disease and Health,\u00a0published on April 24, 2021, attributed the reluctance of many to take the jab to the fear of its side effects, as well as claims by many that the disease is even non-existent.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
For Mrs. Gloria Uche, a seamstress, and Blessing\u00a0Gift, a vendor who\u00a0resides in\u00a0Rumuekini, Obio\/Akpor Local Council, COVID-19 is not real hence there is no need to bother about taking any vaccine.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The two women believe that if COVID-19 were to be real, many people would have died in different communities across the state and country.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u201cDuring the\u00a0outbreak of the pandemic, and despite the ban on public places,\u00a0crowds were still gathering both in markets and churches, but nothing happened to us. So, we don\u2019t believe in it. That is why we said that we would not take\u00a0the vaccine,\u201d they insisted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Food More Important Than Vaccines<\/strong> This group of struggling Nigerians, have an ally in a cleric, Pastor Robinson\u00a0Derateide, who is advising the Federal Government to prioritise food above medicine. He believes that more Nigerians are dying of hunger and insecurity, than from Coronavirus.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cThe Federal Government\u00a0is not concerned that Nigerians are dying of hunger and insecurity.\u00a0Go to the markets and you would see that many Nigerians cannot afford food. Should that not be a\u00a0major concern to the government?\u00a0On a personal note, I am convinced\u00a0that there is COVID-19, so when it is convenient for me, I will take the vaccine,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Mamodu Geory, a movie actor, agrees with Derateide that affordable food appears to be competing for attention with vaccine hence the need for the government to make life worth living for residents of the state, especially the poor and\u00a0the vulnerable ones.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Besides the soaring cost of food items, the plethora of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines, some shaped by religious beliefs and culture has equally complicated the effort of the state government in vaccinating the people.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Even\u00a0in the United States, a survey conducted by Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) between February 11 and March 7, 2021, show that less half black frontline healthcare workers (39 per cent), and Hispanic frontline healthcare workers (44 per cent) received the COVID-19 vaccine compared to six in 10 (57%) white health workers, mirroring the disparities found in vaccine uptake rates among the national adult population.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n On the other hand, the KFF COVID-19 vaccine monitor found a steady increase in the share of black adults and Hispanic adults who report being vaccinated for COVID-19, or who say that they would get the vaccine as soon as it is available to them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n These populations remain more likely than white adults, who say that they are waiting to see how the vaccine works for other people before getting vaccinated themselves.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Misconception, Myths, Mistrust Over Vaccine Uptake<\/strong> At the State Primary Model Healthcare Centre in Okija, Mile One Diobu, in Port Harcourt City Local Council, at least 20 persons still find it expedient to stop by and get a jab daily.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n But at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, things are a bit better as over 50 persons get vaccinated in the two facilities \u201con a good day.\u201d On the other days, the number is lower.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Even though several healthcare workers that have\u00a0been vaccinated maintain that their acceptance, or rejection of the vaccine\u00a0could influence the general population\u2019s uptake, a large number of residents still remain unpersuaded.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n That notwithstanding, Dr. Doris Nria,\u00a0a health educator, who has taken the jab advised those that are still sitting on the fence to take the vaccine and it is \u201cvery safe and important for all.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cThe vaccine is\u00a0very effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19 infection, and it will help to boost our immunity, and stop us from being susceptible to infections like the current strain of COVID-19. So, I encourage everyone to go and take the jab.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The\u00a0Director, Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr. Joy Wihioka, equally stressed the efficacy and safety of the vaccine, urging residents to waste no time in getting theirs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cI have taken the jab, and it is safe. The fact that I have taken\u00a0it is enough proof\u00a0that it is safe. So, members of the public should not have any doubts about the vaccine,\u201d said the medical expert.<\/p>\r\n Also, the Coordinator, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Rivers State, Dr. Emma Ukpong, who took his first jab on\u00a0March 24, 2021, said nothing untoward has happened to her since doing so two months ago.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n She therefore urged Nigerians to avail themselves of the opportunity as the vaccines are safe.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n While many are being conscientised to get the jab, Mrs. Ilanye Chapp-Jumbo, a civil servant in the state, told The Guardian that she was compelled to take the vaccine because it was compulsory to provide evidence of vaccination ahead of her trip abroad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cI was supposed to travel, so, it was mandatory for me to take the jab. Sincerely, I was indifferent. The test was very uncomfortable, but after taking my first and second jabs, I had no noticeable reactions; I felt normal, but also felt slightly cold.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n COVID-19 Vaccine Safe, Efficacious \u2013 Experts<\/strong> Tomori, who spoke on the efficacy of vaccine recently said even though some are largely uninformed about the vaccine hence the hesitancy that they display, he noted that it is advisable that people take it to curb the spread of the disease.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The virologist, who recalled that vaccine boycott during the polio days caused serious a setback in the society, added that the COVID-19 virus is likely to remain with\u00a0the people\u00a0for a very long time,\u00a0and that\u00a0since most Nigerians are not complying with\u00a0the non-pharmaceutical\u00a0interventions like wearing of face masks, avoiding large gatherings, regular washing of hands and maintaining physical\u00a0distance, the safest bet is to get vaccinated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cAs a nation, we need to unite and act with one objective \u2013 to effectively control the spread of the virus. We need to learn from the past and improve our preparedness, and response for existing and recurring plagues. New epidemics of unknown diseases will emerge in the future, and Nigeria must be prepared to do better than she has done with COVID-19 vaccine,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n According to consultant\u00a0public health physician and\u00a0Head, Community Healthcare Department, University of\u00a0Port Harcourt, Dr. Omosivie Maduka,\u00a0vaccines and vaccination are the most cost effective public health method of preventing and\u00a0controlling diseases.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n She said: \u201cYes, it is true that the COVID-19 vaccine was developed\u00a0under a year, and most of the vaccines that we are using\u00a0now cannot be compared to the other vaccines that took five, 10, 15 or even 20 years to get it right and develop.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The medical expert assured Nigerians that there were no short cuts in the production of COVID-19 vaccine, saying, \u201cwhat happened was that a lot of scientific breakthroughs have happened prior\u00a0to the COVID-19 era. So, those\u00a0scientific breakthroughs allowed us to do things faster than the traditional method of doing things.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cThe scientists did not also give themselves rest. They worked round the clock. So, that\u2019s why the vaccine was faster, not that its safety is compromised.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n She, however, urged Nigerians to stop accepting all information circulating on the social media, warning that most of these materials are fake.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cI have taken my two doses and I am very ok. So, none of those speculations are true. There is bound to be some form of scepticism when it comes to the issue of the safety of a new vaccine.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cIt is important to fact-check. In some countries where these vaccines have been introduced to, the number of persons affected by the virus has dropped significantly. It is in our best interest.\u00a0It is safe.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n State Governments Ramp Up Efforts To Ensure More People Vaccinated<\/strong> Already, the state has established a\u00a0COVID-19 Task Force\u00a0Committee, headed by the state Commissioner for Information, Paulinus Nsirim, and the Permanent Secretary, Primary Healthcare Management Board, Agba Aggreye Harry.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Recently, the taskforce met with various stakeholders and set up a WhatsApp platform, where information and updates about the vaccines are being circulated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Checks by The Guardian revealed that most hospitals and primary healthcare centres are designated locations for the administration of jabs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Harry, who has also received the vaccine, explained that nobody in Rivers State who has taken the jab, has noticed any, or rare adverse effects, pointing out that he personally had no reactions after taking it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cWe have kicked off a lot of jingles, and a lot of works are going on in the field. So, I urge\u00a0everyone to endeavour to get the first dose and, immediately after six weeks, make his\/herself available for the second dose. Sooner or later, it will\u00a0be part of requirements for travels. So, it is necessary for all.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Also, speaking, Nsirim said\u00a0sensitisation\u00a0remains key to efforts aimed at curbing the spread of the disease, adding that if majority of the people take the vaccine, there would be a healthy society.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cThe media\u2019s involvement is vital to deal with the issues of\u00a0myths and misconception about the vaccine, which we really need to deal with so that people don\u2019t just take what they read in the social media seriously.\u201d Preserving Environment\u00a0To Preserve Our Health<\/strong> \u201cAre we going to wait for vaccine for every pandemic, or are we going to stop the pandemic from coming? He queried.\u00a0\u201cThere are two possible origins of\u00a0virus, both should be taken very seriously,\u201d Bassey adds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cThe first is, virus is\u00a0a zoonotic disease meaning it came from animal and crossed to human and this\u00a0could happen because of consumption, and closeness to humans. It can also happen because of\u00a0habitant laws, destruction, deforestation, urbanisation and all the other ways that habitant can be lost.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cWhen we destroy the environment, we are destroying the habitats of many organisms and they have to survive somewhere and sometimes. They don\u2019t survive, but they could pass diseases like this. One thing everybody has to be concerned with is that all forms of environmental degradation\u00a0have to be halted, or tackled immediately and this requires a change of behaviour, by protecting the environment.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Bassey also noted that the disease could have escaped from the laboratory during experiments with dangerous viruses, and called for a stop in experimenting with dangerous viruses.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n She tasked\u00a0government to get the health system totally overhauled, medical workers duly compensated, health facilities rehabilitated, and the healthcare environment protected.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This report was facilitated by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under its Free to Share Project.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Chinda\u00a0Okpara\u00a0lives in Rumuekini, in Obio Akpor Local Council,\u00a0one of the largest\u00a0councils in Rivers State. He has not taken the AstraZeneca-made Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, which is available in the country. The reason Okpara is yet to have the jab is because he does not believe in it, neither does he believe that the lethal virus […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":693,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-653","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-vaccine"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wscij.org\/free-to-share\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/653","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wscij.org\/free-to-share\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wscij.org\/free-to-share\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wscij.org\/free-to-share\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wscij.org\/free-to-share\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=653"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/wscij.org\/free-to-share\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/653\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":696,"href":"https:\/\/wscij.org\/free-to-share\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/653\/revisions\/696"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wscij.org\/free-to-share\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/693"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wscij.org\/free-to-share\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=653"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wscij.org\/free-to-share\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=653"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wscij.org\/free-to-share\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=653"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
DESPITE the debilitating consequences of the pandemic, many, especially the dregs of the society still think that in the perking order, vaccine is less important than food.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
SINCE its outbreak, the COVID-19 pandemic\u00a0has posed enormous challenges to Nigeria and its citizens, disrupting the economy of the nation. But several factors have sustained the misconception and mistrust surrounding the vaccine.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wscij.org\/free-to-share\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Osagie-Ehanire-1-1.jpg\")
FOR a former World Health Organisation (WHO) regional virologist, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, while the COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be safe, the full duration of acquired immunity is still under study.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
AMONG other things, the Rivers State government has put in place, strategies aimed at getting more people in the state to get vaccinated. This includes, regular engagements with healthcare workers, media practitioners, and various other stakeholders. Along this line, radio and television\u00a0jingles, newspaper adverts, as well as local mode of information are activated to further disseminate COVID-19 messages to the public.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Nsirim who has also been vaccinated, declared that the vaccine is safe and urged citizens to discountenance the rumour that those who took it will die in two years\u2019 time and come out to take it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
A renowned environmentalist, Nnimo Bassey believes that diseases need to be treated\u00a0with the best possible method, but warned that\u00a0if the world continues on the part of environmental destructions, it will be hard to deal with\u00a0more pandemics, which\u00a0may erupt\u00a0in the future.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n