REPORT OF THE TWITTER CHAT ON THE SAFENESS OF COVID19 VACCINES AND THE NEED FOR EVERYONE TO GET VACCINATED WITH PROFESSOR ISAH ABUBAKAR SADEEQ, DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES, BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO HELD ON THE 25TH MARCH, 2021

 

As skepticism on taking the Covid19 vaccines is growing among people and trust deficit between government and Nigerian citizens is also widening, there is need for organization working in the area of creating awareness to bring experts in the area of diseases prevention and curation to dispel and regain the trust of the citizens to ensure every citizen get vaccinated in order to defeat the virus squarely. It is for this reason that the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) hosted Professor Isah Abubakar Sadeeq, Director, Center for Infectious Diseases, Bayero University, Kano to discuss on the Safeness of Covid19 Vaccines and why everyone should get Vaccinated. The professor started the discussion by informing the audience about the number of vaccines developed globally and their efficacy by saying that “There are more than 100 candidates’ vaccines at different stages of Clinical trials but so far Nigerian authorities have authorized the use of 6 of them. Of them modern and Pfizer Biotech have the best efficacy rates of 95-96% but are more difficult to handle & more expensive” and when he was asked about the importance of the mass vaccination, he went further to state that “Mass vaccination is essential in that it raises the Community level immunity referred to as herd immunity. When about 80-90 % is reached, transmission of the virus may not be possible. The disease may thus be eliminated through the mass immunization strategy”

Hello everyone,

Join me to welcome @ICTAdvocates today’s twitter chat guest on #CITADagainstCovid19, Prof. @isaabubakar_, Director, Centre for Infectious Diseases, BUK who will discuss on the Safeness of Covid19 Vaccines & the Need for Mass Vaccination in Nigeria. Welcome sir.

Thank you very much indeed

Question:

Sir, can we start by knowing how many vaccines we currently have and their efficacy?

Responses:

There are more than 100 candidates’ vaccines at different stages of Clinical trials but so far Nigerian authorities have authorized the use of 6 of them. Of them moderna and Pfizer BioNtech have the best efficacy rates of 95-96% but are more difficult to handle & more expensive.

There are more than 150 Candidate vaccines at different stages of Trials, but so far WHO has approved the use of 6 ready for use.

Question:

Prof @isaabubakar_, how do ordinary people get access to the vaccines in Kano?

Responses:

For now health workers and leaders are being vaccinated. The authorities concerned will roll out plans for other people soon.

Question:

Good afternoon sir, is the Covid19 vaccine safe for people to take, and what are some of the advantages attached to taken the vaccine? #CITADagainstCovid19

Response:

The benefits of taking the vaccines have by far outweigh the risks. The side effects are mild & self-limiting. They include mild fever, feeling of unwell, mild rashes

Question:

Given that the vaccine is limited, how can people be assured they can get it without being subjected to demand for some form of payment by vaccine administration officials? Are there mechanisms for citizens to report this if this occurs?

Responses:

Although it is limited, the vaccination program is a continuous exercise. Govt and partners will do all that is possible to provide adequate amount of vaccines to vaccinate at least 70% of Nigerians within 2 years 2021 & 2022

Question:

So sir, can you tell us the importance of Mass Vaccination?

Response:

Mass vaccination is essential in that it raises the Community level immunity referred to as herd immunity. When about 80-90 % is reached, transmission of the virus may not be possible. The disease may thus be eliminated through the mass immunization strategy

Question:

Sir, there is some argument among the people that why should someone that is being vaccinated still wear facemask. Can you tell us more about this?

Responses:

None of the measures is 100% effective in preventing against the disease. The more measures we take the better until herd immunity is achieved. It is recommended that we continue to wear mask even after vaccination for now. The situation may change in the near future

Question:

As we are coming to the end of this discussion, what advice do you have for citizens to ensure they get vaccinated and what recommendations do you have for Govt to ensure enough vaccines are being provided in the country, sir?

Responses:

Everyone should avail themselves for vaccination as it is the surest way of wiping this disease. The world is now united against the disease and the powerful are helping us to deal with the disease. We do not want a situation where the will succeed and leave us lagging behind

 

Here we come to the end of this discussion, on behalf of everyone  @ICTAdvocates’s we thanks our guest most sincerely for taking his time to educate us on this important topic. Thank you once again, sir.