Lokoja – The Nigeria Red Cross Society has urged Nigerians to come out and get vaccinated against COVID-19 which it said is still very much around and affecting all parts of the country.
Johann Ezinne Ojukwu, Health and Care Officer, International Federation of Red Cross, West Africa office, Abuja, gave the warning in Lokoja on Saturday while speaking at the end of a road show to sensitise residents on COVID-19 vaccines.
Ojukwu expressed concern about the complacent attitude of Nigerians towards the vaccines, saying that the country cannot afford to let down its guard as far as Covid-19 is concerned.
She said that Nigerians have stopped coming out to be vaccinated against the disease , saying that this constituted a threat to public health.
The Officer reminded Nigerians that it is only the use of facemask that the Federal Government has made optional, saying that other protocols put in place to curb the spread of the disease are still intact.
Ojukwu, said travellers from different parts of the world that are likely to be carriers of the virus are still coming into Nigeria, saying that nobody is totally free yet from the disease.
The Officer said the road show was organised in support Federal Government mobilisation and sensitisation activities on the vaccine.
According to her, the effort was to create awareness about and provide more information on COVID-19 vaccines.
She charged people to come out to be vaccinated against COVID-19, saying that the vaccines are free, safe and harmless.
Also speaking, Dr Khadijat Malik, Director, Primary Heath Care, Lokoja Local Government said it is important for residents to come out to be vaccinated against COVID-19 because of the unique location of the state as the link between Southern and Northern Nigeria.
She further explained that the fact that the state shares boundaries with eight states and Federal Capital Territory means that the residents are exposed to the possibility of contacting the disease.
Malik who stated that prevention is better than cure appealed to residents to come out to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Director who disclosed that COVID-19 vaccines has now been integrated into routine vaccination programme commended the Nigeria Red Cross Society for organising the road show to create awareness and sensitise the people on the vaccine.
Mr Dan Usman, former Secretary of the Nigeria Red Cross Society, Kogi State branch said the road show was to scale up awareness and sensitise the people about COVID-19 vaccines.
He expressed worry over peoples reluctance to come out to be vaccinated against the disease, saying that government will never bring anything that have negative health implications for the people into the country.
Usman said that people are free to go to any health facility close to them, adding that the vaccine is free, safe and harmless.
The road show which took members of the society through major streets and markets in Lokoja also served as an opportunity for traders and other residents to ask questions and seek clarifications on the vaccine.
Similar road show was staged by the society in Okene.
The event was organised in collaboration with the International Federation of the Red Cross Society, West Africa Office, Abuja with the support of Coca-Cola Foundation. (vutalnewsngr.com)
