NGF Backs Continuous Use Of AstraZeneca Vaccine

• “… the vaccines have not shown any signs of side effects as reported.” – Gov. Fayemi

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

The Governors argued that the vaccine was safe for use, stressing that no side effects had been reported by those who have so far received the jabs in Nigeria.

Concerns about the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, whose roll out had been halted in some countries, formed part of the discussions at the meeting of the NGF held on Wednesday.

The meeting which was presided over by the NGF Chairman and Ekiti State Governor, 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.

Read also: COVID-19: NCDC Confirms 11 Deaths, 187 New Infections

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).

The governors, in their response, reiterated their belief in the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine and agreed to continuously encourage uptake of the vaccines by all eligible persons in their states.

They, 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.

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