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FG allays fear as European countries resume use of AstraZeneca vaccine
By Modupe Shodeinde
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has assured Nigerians of the safety of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as countries across Europe resume use of the vaccine.
After suspension of the use of AstraZeneca vaccine to check COVID-19, European countries on Friday recommenced its use, dousing apprehension that it’s not associated with a higher risk of blood clots.
Head (Public Relations Unit) of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mohammed Ohitoto, on behalf of its Executive Director, Dr Faisal Shuaib, announced this in a statement on Friday.
The statement was titled: ‘EU medical regulator announces AstraZeneca is safe, no indicated link to blood clots – European countries restart use of AstraZeneca today.’
It read: “The European Medical Agency released the findings of its report examining cases of blood clotting; it determined that the AstraZeneca vaccine is not associated with a higher risk of blood clots.
“Following a thorough and scientific investigation, the EMA reaffirmed the vaccine is safe and effective. Countries across Europe, including Germany, France and Spain, are today resuming administering the AstraZeneca vaccine.
“The World Health Organisation also reaffirmed the safety and efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine, along with the UK medical regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
“The UK also reports it has not observed increased rates of blood clotting, and the UK has administered the highest number of AstraZeneca vaccines globally by a significant margin, to more than one-third of its population.
“According to the Executive Director/CEO National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, EMA’s findings and the restart of AstraZeneca use in Europe is very good news which we hope will entirely reassure all Nigerians who have been concerned in recent days as we followed the developments in European countries.
“France’s Prime Minister Jean Castex has announced he will receive the AstraZeneca vaccine today, Friday. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also announced he will receive the AstraZeneca vaccine today, Friday. The Head of the EMA, Emer Cooke, has personally and publicly confirmed that the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective.”
Shuaib affirmed that the health and safety of the Nigerian citizens was the priority, he added that “administering safe and effective vaccines is a vital component in solving the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Regulators and vaccine safety experts have a duty to investigate if an adverse effect is detected in order to determine whether it is caused by the vaccine,” he added.
