Residents shun COVID-19 vaccine, Bauchi government laments

Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA) has decried the attitude of residents who shun the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) vaccine purchased by the Federal Government.

Executive Chairman of the agency, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, while speaking at a media orientation forum on phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccination, said the agency sent 2,000 doses to a local council, but only 30 doses were administered, as people refused to accept the jab.

He said: “One of our health workers, who took the dose there reported that some of the well-to-do members of the community are trying to induce them with money just to fill the vaccination cards for them, instead of taking the jab. But the good thing is that she refused to listen to them.

“Some dignitaries are sending messages from Abuja to our health workers to get the vaccination cards across to them without taking the jabs. We will not allow that in the state; everybody must take the jab before getting the card.”

The Guardian gathered that the COVID-19 Taskforce Chairman, Sen. Baba Tela, was saddened by the turn of events; hence he directed immediate action to ensure that everything possible was done to sensitise the people to accept the vaccination.

Disclosing that though people were being misled by the various misconceptions about the potency of the vaccines, Mohammed assured that every needed lab process had been taken before the World Health Organisation (WHO) approved the vaccines for administration.

He said the essence of the media engagement was to avail the practitioners of the correct information on the COVID-19 vaccination situation so that they would have enough information to disseminate to the general public.

“The media have a significant impact on the success of the vaccination. Your education, information, and sensitisation efforts will make people understand everything about exercise. The media is a powerful tool to get the vaccination accepted,” he added.

Mohammed, however, appealed to community and religious leaders to educate their adherents on the need for the vaccination, which reportedly has over 90 per cent protection potency against the COVID-19 pandemic.