Presidency speaks on side effects after COVID-19 vaccine

On Saturday, 6 March 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo received their first doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and the presidency has now released a statement concerning side effects.

“After he got his jab, the president felt normal and went about doing his job,” a statement from Garba Shehu, who is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, reads.

Nigeria’s first citizen had taken the vaccine earlier in the day to calm fears that the vaccine may have side effects. Immediately after getting vaccinated, Buhari told Nigerians; “I have received my first jab and I wish to recommend it to all eligible Nigerians to do [the] same so that we can be protected from the virus.”

Both his and Osibanjo’s vaccination were televised and handled by their personal physicians. The office of the president has promised to also keep Nigerians updated if any side effects emerges.

“If there are side effects that follow, we will be open about that but so far there is nothing of a side effect, serious or mild on the president. He is carrying on as normal,” Garba Shehu further said.

He also adds that the authorities hope that this will allay fears of other citizens who are still hesitant about the ‘efficacy and safety of the vaccine’.

Frontline healthcare workers and state governors are next in line for the COVID-19 vaccine jabs. Other citizens who are eligible will also start receiving shots from the 4 million doses donated to Nigeria. To register, visit the website and click on ‘COVID-19 Vaccination E-registration’ to register for the #COVID19 vaccination.

To exemplify why there is a need to allay fears of taking the COVID-19 vaccine, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State had said during an interview with Channels TV that he will not take the shots.

While he commended President Buhari for taking the vaccination, he claimed he was healthy enough and thus, did not need vaccination. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria, you can get answers to your questions here.