COVID-19 Vaccines Will Be Tested Before Administration – NMA

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has said that COVID-19 vaccines meant for Nigerians must undergo clinical trial before it is administered.

President of the NMA, Professor Innocent Ujah, who stated this on Monday while speaking on Channels Television’s flagship programme, Sunrise Daily, said reactions to vaccines differ among races.

“If the vaccines come to Nigeria, we need to quickly do our own evaluation of that vaccine. I cannot say with 100 percent certainty that in the process of developing this vaccine, in the clinical trials, whether any African countries were involved. I’m not too sure, but it’s possible,” Ujah said.

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He however noted that the need for the vaccine to undergo clinical trial is not to question its efficacy but to ensure that it is safe for Nigerians considering biological, environmental and genetic factors.

The NMA President recalled that some parts of the country did not respond to chloroquine when it was used to treat the virus which later led to the conclusion that it is no longer effective.