Health
COVID-19: Nigerians Share AstraZeneca Vaccine Experience
By Ahmed Rahma
After weeks of speculations and doubts among Nigerians on whether the country will secure the COVID-19 vaccine, on March 2, 2021, the federal government finally took delivery of the first batch of about four million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from COVAX.
The 3.94 million doses are part of the 16 million doses being expected from COVAX by the end of this year.
The federal government, through the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, on March 5, 2021, flagged-off a national COVID-19 vaccination programme at the National Hospital, Abuja after the vaccine was tested and certified to be effective and safe for use in the country by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
A medical doctor, Cyprian Ngong, of the National Hospital Abuja, who has been treating COVID-19 patients at the hospital’s isolation centre since the beginning of the fight last year, was the first Nigerian to receive the vaccine.
Similarly, all state governors, asides Kogi State governor, have launched vaccination programmes in their states.
Due to the experiences from other climes on the effect of the AstraZeneca vaccine, there have been concerns that Nigerians should be cautious in administering the vaccine.
But the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), last Monday, said it has not received any official report of serious adverse effects from any of those that have been vaccinated.
The agency explained that mild side effects, such as pains and swelling at the point of injection are expected, as normal with any vaccination, adding that the agency is working closely with NAFDAC to monitor any unusual adverse reactions to the vaccine.
As the mixed feelings continue, some Nigerians already vaccinated have shared their AstraZeneca vaccine experience.
The Chief Nursing Officer at the National Hospital, Mrs Faith Eragbai, who was the second Nigerian to be vaccinated, said;
I did not feel anything after taking the vaccine, no slight headache, no fever or anything. It is already three weeks and I have not had any adverse reaction. I am very strong. I was infected with the Coronavirus around June/July 2020. I was on admission for 19 days and 16 days on oxygen. My whole life almost collapsed, but I thank God for seeing me through.
Today, I am alive to testify about His goodness. For Nigerians who are still sceptical about whether or not to take the vaccine, I have opened the way for them. I have sacrificed because I know the effect of it. I know what I went through, even after I was discharged. It was as if the COVID-19 virus was still there because of the complications.
I was experiencing breathlessness up to January this year before God intervened and I can now breathe well, with other things that I was using: Zinc, vitamin C and all the drugs they prescribed.
I took the vaccine because there is no guarantee that after surviving the virus, you won’t contract it again. I don’t want the infection again, and that is why I took the vaccine. And even if I contract the virus again, it won’t be severe or life-threatening. This is why we are advising Nigerians still doubting whether the Coronavirus is real or whether the vaccine is killing; that the vaccine doesn’t kill.
Rather, it boosts the immune system to resist and lessen the complications from infections. When you take the vaccine, you will be confident that no matter what, death from the virus is out of it, especially when it has entered the stage of difficulty in breathing.
However, you can still contract the virus after taking the vaccine, if you don’t take the precaution of washing your hands, wearing a facemask and observing physical distancing, among others.
There is no problem with the vaccine, I, Faith Iragba, is telling Nigerians to take the vaccine. They should ignore the conspiracy theories, and that people are dying after taking the vaccine. They are all lies. It is okay to take the vaccine.
Dr Adebayo Akintayo, a medical doctor based in Lagos
The vaccine is very safe and probably more effective than we ever thought. I got my jab on March 15, 2021, and I have been perfectly okay since then. I was able to do all my activities on that day and even up till now without any complaint or side effect.
We need to be more deliberate and serious in our approach to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. We need to combine COVID-19 vaccination with other interventions in order to significantly protect ourselves. There is no point shooting down the jabs, whether it is AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Modena with misinformation/disinformation.
Available evidence has shown that vaccination protects and reduces the severity of the infectious disease. I would advise all eligible persons, age 18 and above, to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The Nigerian authorities, through various regulatory bodies, are really monitoring patients’ response to all the jabs. Health workers are encouraged to fill the yellow cards for any reported adverse reactions from our patients. Therefore, anyone experiencing a side effect should report to the vaccination centre for proper documentation and possible scientific evaluation.
Ibrahim Quadri, Journalist, Lagos
It was a feeling of calculated risk that welled up in me, I must confess. On Friday, March 12, 2021, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu got his jab together with some state officials that were present and willing to receive their shots.
So, the initial doubt in me, especially going by the reports of suspension of the jab in European countries, was completely erased- having read the personal experiences of the governor and my colleagues.
But when I was to receive mine yesterday, I began to wonder what would be the likely side effects on my system, especially as I was fasting. Eventually, I summoned up courage. After all, no medical expert had prescribed eating before taking the jab.
While taking the prescribed rest of 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine, I noticed the flowing of the jab all around my system. After leaving the spot, it was a case of weakness and a slight headache and later bitter taste in my mouth.
A few minutes after waking up, I was sweating profusely, but I later felt very sound. This feeling of ease did not last, as I completely lost my physical strength, though I managed to get home. I showered, prayed and broke the fast at the appropriate time. I discovered that I needed to take much more water to suppress the dehydration.
Although I had a slight delay before sleeping, it was a sound sleep and I woke up feeling stronger. In all, my experience is a pleasing one because medical personnel already predicted the reactions I got. I, therefore, advise those who have not received to feel free and go for theirs. It’s for the good of all.
Omolara Omosanya, Journalist
I only experienced a sort of heaviness and tenderness in the arm where I got the jab but nothing else otherwise. However, my husband, who is a medical doctor, had malaria-like symptoms, though he was able to go to work.
Akinbowale Azeez Olawale, a cleaner at one of the isolation centres
I received the vaccine on March 12, 2021. I felt very weak the following day, after receiving my jab. This was aside a slight headache that I had till 7pm on that day. I did not take any drug to suppress the reaction, but I got better naturally.
Eric Togbe, a health worker at the National Hospital
I took the vaccine and there was no adverse effect. I decided to take the vaccine because I work in the hospital community and I come in contact with many people, including patients. It is more than a week now that I took the vaccine and I am very okay. I urge all Nigerians to take the vaccine.
Toyin Adebayo, a journalist with Daily Independent Newspapers, Abuja Office
A few hours after taking the vaccine, I felt dizzy, and after that, I was thinking I wouldn’t be able to sleep. On the contrary, I slept like a baby without pains, no ache, nothing. Personally, I think the issue of reaction depends on the individual’s body makeup because some people took it and said they had pains and couldn’t sleep, aside from having a headache. NAFDAC advised that when you are reacting to the jab, just like any other vaccine, take paracetamol. I took the vaccine because I believed it is good for me.
Gbenga Omokhunu works with The Nation Newspapers, Abuja
The confidence to take the jab came from the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari and other notable Nigerians have taken the vaccine. Some people who are not so popular have also taken it and from findings, there were no reactions, despite the negative news flying around.
There was no serious reaction, except for my intake of more water than before in the first two days. For me, the vaccine is safe and efficacious for everyone. I hereby encourage Nigerians to take the vaccine with faith; all is well.
Source: The Guardian
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide indefinite strike, granting the federal government a two-week ultimatum to address lingering welfare issues affecting resident doctors across the country.
The decision was taken after an emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council on Tuesday, where members reviewed assurances from government representatives and resolved to give dialogue another chance.
NARD said the suspension was informed by “progress made” in negotiations, particularly commitments on the prompt payment of salary arrears, hazard allowances, and steps toward resolving issues surrounding the Medical Residency Training Fund.
The association did not declare a full resolution of the dispute. It noted that the government had shown “renewed willingness” to address the concerns that triggered the strike threat.
The association noted that while these engagements signalled a willingness by the government to resolve the dispute, several critical issues remain outstanding, particularly the delayed payment of promotion arrears, salary arrears, the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and the backlog of 19 months’ professional allowance arrears owed to resident doctors.
It also expressed concern over the Federal Government’s decision to halt the implementation of the reviewed PAT, which had earlier triggered widespread dissatisfaction among its members and raised fears of disruption to healthcare services nationwide.
Despite these unresolved issues, NARD said it opted to suspend the strike as a demonstration of goodwill and commitment to ongoing dialogue, while giving the government a two-week window to take concrete, measurable and verifiable steps to meet its demands.
The association insisted on the immediate reversal of the decision affecting the PAT, payment of all outstanding arrears, prompt disbursement of the MRTF, and full settlement of the accumulated professional allowance backlog.
It warned that it would reconvene at the expiration of the ultimatum to assess the level of compliance and determine its next course of action, adding that failure by the government to meet its demands within the stipulated timeframe would result in the resumption of the suspended strike without further notice.
NARD also called on its members nationwide to remain calm, united and resolute, while urging the Federal Government to act swiftly to prevent a potential crisis in the health sector.
The association further appreciated the interventions of the Vice President and other stakeholders, expressing hope that their involvement would lead to the timely resolution of the dispute and help sustain healthcare delivery across the country.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To expand affordable healthcare in Kenya, Swedfund has invested about $600,000 into Jacaranda Health Limited (Jacaranda Maternity) to support innovations in neonatal intensive care and strengthen Jacaranda’s ability to provide life-saving services to underserved populations.
Jacaranda Maternity provides high-quality maternal health care at more affordable pricing than typical private providers, focusing on women in Nairobi’s low- and middle-income communities.
The new funding will support the opening of new hospitals, upgrading of neonatal care, and improvements to existing facilities.
Maternal and newborn health outcomes in Kenya remain a challenge, with maternal mortality still high despite improvements in skilled birth attendance.
Public health facilities play a central role but face capacity constraints, while access to reliable, quality care varies across regions and income groups.
Private healthcare providers offering essential maternity services at accessible price points can complement public provision.
Jacaranda Maternity aims to expand its network to six hospitals to achieve financial sustainability while scaling its impact. The healthcare provider is a recognised leader in promoting women’s health, with 71 percent of its staff being women, and a track record of effective environmental and social management.
“This investment will help Jacaranda Maternity provide life-saving care to more women and families while furthering Swedfund’s mission to promote inclusive and sustainable healthcare,” a Senior Investment Manager at Swedfund, Audrey Obara, said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria will get a $350,000 intervention from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to support its response to the ongoing outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu) and strengthen the country’s animal health systems.
An agreement was reached on Wednesday during a strategic meeting between the Minister of Livestock Development, Mr Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and the FAO Representative to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Mr Hussein Gadain, in Abuja.
The intervention, approved under FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme, will support disease containment efforts in 11 affected states and enhance surveillance, coordination and response mechanisms to prevent further spread of the disease.
Speaking during the meeting, Maiha said effective disease control remains critical to improving livestock productivity and protecting the livelihoods of farmers across the country.
He explained that factors such as drought, scarcity of feed, interaction between livestock and wildlife, as well as cross-border movement of animals have contributed to the spread of diseases in some areas.
“We must continue to strengthen our animal health systems and build the capacity required to respond effectively to disease outbreaks. Our collaboration with FAO will help protect livestock assets, improve productivity and support the broader transformation of the sector,” the minister said.
Mr Gadain commended the federal government’s commitment to the development of the livestock sector and assured that FAO would continue to provide technical support to Nigeria.
He stressed the need to strengthen veterinary services at the state and community levels, improve early detection of diseases and promote biosecurity practices among livestock farmers.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the global campaign to eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminants, a highly contagious disease that affects sheep and goats.
To advance the initiative, the ministry plans to convene a national technical meeting involving veterinary institutions, researchers and practitioners to review Nigeria’s eradication strategy and address gaps in vaccine supply.
As part of preparations, the ministry will engage the National Veterinary Research Institute to assess its vaccine production capacity while exploring other options for vaccine procurement to meet national demand.
Both parties also agreed to accelerate Nigeria’s access to financing under the Pandemic Fund through the One Health approach in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Federal Ministry of Health to strengthen preparedness and response to zoonotic diseases.
Plans are also underway for the Director-General of FAO to participate in the Antimicrobial Resistance Conference scheduled for June 2026 in Abuja, where President Bola Tinubu is expected to be recognised as the African Champion for the eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants.
The meeting further agreed to inaugurate a Livestock Donor Working Group to coordinate development partner support and advance key initiatives, including the development of a national feed and fodder strategy aimed at improving productivity and sustainability in the livestock sector.
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