No alternative to Covid-19 vaccines, says Ebonyi Health Ministry

Ebonyi state ministry of Health, Thursday, charged residents of the state to get vaccinated against covid-19 virus.

The state immunization key Officer, Mr. Ogbonna Kalu, gave the charge during a one day state level media engagement meeting on covid 19 supported by IHP and partners.

He said that covid 19 virus is real and that is still killing people. Adding that the vaccines are out and that a good number of Ebonyi residents have been vaccinated, while encouraging those who have not taken the vaccines to do so as there is no alternative to the vaccine for now.

Nnanna, said it’s a demonstration of love to take the covid 19 vaccines, adding: ” You are saving yourself, loved ones, your neighbour and the society at large”.

He hinted that each local government has five designated centers for the vaccination and that there is a total of fifty six designated centers in Ebonyi.

The immunization officer, pointed out that for the Astrazeneca vaccine, the second should be taken after six weeks of the first dose, while moderna vaccine second dose should be taken four weeks after the first dose.

During her presentation, the IHP covid 19 Risk Communication and Community Engagement Consultant, Toyeke Adedipe, noted that to be vaccinated against covid 19 is very easy.

She said AstraZeneca is given as second dose for those who had their first dose before July 8, 2021, while it is currently given as first dose to those who are yet to be vaccinated.

She noted that Moderna vaccine is currently given as first dose for those who are yet to be vaccinated, adding that the vaccines are free and anyone asked to pay a dime should report to the ministry of health.

Adedipe warned that the COVID 19 vaccines should not be mixed, “WHO does not recommend that. So ensure your 2nd dose is with the same vaccine brand as your 1st dose.

“Most brands of COVID 19 vaccines require 2 dose with varying intervals between the doses. You need to complete your doses for full protection against the virus,” she noted.

The consultant hinted that mild effects might occur in form of fatigue, headache, chills, slight fever, pain or numbness at the site of vaccination which is expected to disappear within 3days, but if the symptoms persist, the nearest health center should be visited.

She advised that after taking the vaccine, those vaccinated should continue to wear face mask regularly and observe other COVID 19 safety measures to stay protected.

The Executive Secretary, State Primary Health Care Development Agency, (SPHCDA) in her remarks, urged Ebonyi residents to take the COVID 19 vaccines and leave the rest for God.

She said that when someone who was vaccinated is exposed to the COVID 19 virus that the effect will be reduced.

State Health Educator, Ministry of Health, Mrs. Prescilia Ajaodi, advised women to immunization their against polio.