By Gracious George
Bayelsa State Government has decried the level of apathy shown by people of the state to the Oxford Astra-Zeneca Vaccine, more than two weeks after the state got its own share from the Federal Government.
The Director Disease Control and Immunization of the State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Neni Awhorabi said on Wednesday that out of the over 44,000 vaccines received on March 10, only about 6000 people have been vaccinated.
She said the situation is worrisome as the fears expressed by most people in the state about the unsafe nature of the vaccine and the severe side effects are unfounded and false.
Dr. Awhorabi explained that everyone is meant to receive two jabs of the vaccine but with the abysmal number of people who are yet to receive the first jab, the government may be forced to return them.
She noted that most people refused to take the vaccines because of reports of some adverse effects recorded in other countries, but added that such cases have not occurred in the state and country, so there is no cause for alarm.
The Director of Disease Control and Immunization urged all Bayelsans that are yet to take the vaccines to do so and equally encouraged health professionals to raise the level of advocacy by highlighting that the vaccine is safe.
Governor Douye Diri, his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Cabinet Members, Lawmakers, and some professionals cutting across various sectors have received their first dose of the vaccine.
