As moves by the Nigerian Government to implement vaccines mandate among public service workers continue to gain traction, some Nigerians have thrown their weight behind the policy but express worry that the country does not have enough vaccines to go round. In this issue, Chuks NZEH and Ijeoma UKAZU spoke with some in Abuja. Excerpts:
GILBERT BALA: I think government should make the vaccines compulsory for everyone so that the disease will reduce in the society; people that were supposed to die from the virus will live and contribute their own for the society to be better.
Especially now that they say we have different variants and the latest one is omicron. They say this one is very deadly. We need people to be alive in Nigeria so that they will help their families and friends to become better people. If we remember what happened to USA and China, during the first outbreak, we would know that we should be very careful not to allow the virus to take us unaware.
Our leaders should do more so that we can produce our own vaccine that is cheaper. It will be better accepted because some people are saying that they do not want to take the vaccines because they contain something that can be used to control people. But NAFDAC and Ministry of Health say the vaccines are good and that is why people are taking them.
HALILU MOHAMMED: Now that we are no longer sure if the vaccines could prevent the virus from affecting people who are vaccinated, I do not think that there is any justification for government to make it compulsory. When it is confirmed that there is a vaccine that can prevent the virus from affecting people, we can encourage people to make themselves available to be vaccinated.
Government should not make the vaccines compulsory because it is not possible for everyone to get the vaccines now. A country of over 200 million people, we have less than 20 million vaccines in Nigeria, which is less than 10 per cent of the whole population.
It is better we continue to educate people to ensure basic hygiene and eat healthy foods to avoid the spread of the virus. That would be better appreciated than making the vaccination compulsory because the virus here in Nigeria is not as strong as the one in these countries where people have been dying in large numbers. That is why they are more afraid of the news of the omicron variant.
EMILIA PAUL: Making the Covid-19 vaccination compulsory only tramples on our fundamental human rights as a people. Most Nigerians with myself inclusive, are still sceptical of the vaccine. I feel it was hurriedly produced, so might have some hidden side effects not detected yet by scientists.
Vaccines globally are good and safe but the federal government should give Nigerians more time to clear all doubts concerning the vaccine so we can attain herd immunity.
There are still myths and misconceptions about the vaccine, the National Orientation Agency saddled with the responsibility to inform the masses should embark on a sensitisation/ awareness campaign to educate Nigerians on the efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccine to get more people to take the jab.
IFEANYI NNAJI: For Nigeria to attain herd immunity, it needs to vaccinate at least 70 per cent of its population. As at today, only five states in Nigeria have reached 50 per cent of its people.
The government needs to do more in convincing the populace on the importance of the vaccine. With different variants emerging, it is important that all eligible Nigerians are vaccinated. This move by the government is in the right direction.
Just like yellow fever card, the Covid-19 card will soon be required for anyone who wants to leave the country. By the time the Western countries vaccinate their people, it would be difficult to travel without being vaccinated. Already some countries have created some waivers for people that have been vaccinated to get into their country. I wholly support this move by the government. Nigerians should go get the vaccine.
CHIWENDU OSONDU: I support this move. The Covid-19 vaccine is key to keeping everyone healthy and safe from the virus. With different variants emerging, it is important that the federal government take stiffer measures that would force Nigerians to get vaccinated.
So far, the vaccine has not killed anyone but saved lives and still saving lives. Nigerians should know that research, and funds have gone into this vaccine and are safe.
I commend the Federal government for this initiative. If implemented it will give us the number of those vaccinated.
