NAFDAC has okayed the use of COVID-19 vaccines to protect citizens from contracting COVID-19 in Nigeria.
The National Agency for food and Drug Administration and Control made this known in a recent symposium.
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Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC assured Nigerians about the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine at the 11th Annual Symposium of Health Writers Association of Nigeria.
She said that the vaccines save lives and promote good health.
Adeyeye was represented at the symposium by Director, Drug Registration and Regulatory Affairs, NAFDAC, Dr Monica Eimunjeze.
She explained that the vaccines are biological preparations produced from living organisms. Then they are used to boost immunity against certain diseases.
Adeyeye further said the vaccines eradicate diseases like smallpox. They also reduce wild polio by more than 99 per cent.
Her words:
“Vaccines promote health, have expansive reach, rapid impact and save lives and costs.
“Annually, vaccines prevent more than 2.5 million child deaths globally.
“Vaccination is one of the great public health achievements of human history.”
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Despite the assurance on the efficacy, Adeyeye assured Nigerians that NAFDAC would play a surveillant role on the vaccines.
Her words:
“The issue of safety and efficacy is key to vaccine production.
“It also requires the involvement of experts and vaccines are not deployed without the approval of NAFDAC.
“The agency has regulatory control for vaccines as it monitors and approves, clinical trials, inspection of facility, licensing, testing and post-marketing surveillance. So, the COVID-19 vaccines are safe.”
Former Chief Medical Director of Lagos Teaching Hospital, Prof Akin Oshibogun spoke on the responsibilities of health writer.
He said that the health writers are saddled with the responsibilities of creating awareness.
They would also be responsible for educating people against the myths about the COVID-19 vaccines.
“We carried out research to look for side effects of the vaccination across the country.
“And we have followed them up for about three to four months.
“I am happy to say that none of them died or was hospitalised.
“The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and the media need to report these facts to reduce vaccination apathy in the country,” he said
The Symposium themed:
‘Building Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines’ is also sub-themed: ‘Addressing COVID-19 Hesitancy -The Role of the Media’.
In his presentation which was around the theme, a physician Dr David Ikudayisi urged Nigerians to embrace regenerative medicine.
The presentation was titled: “Regenerative Medicine, Benefits of Adult Stem Cell Therapy”.
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He said:
“Regenerative Medicine is a game-changing area of medicine with the potential to fully heal damaged tissues and organs in the body.
“Adult Stem Cell therapy, which is a part of regenerative medicine, can effectively treat:
“I urged Nigerians especially the elite who spend millions of dollars annually on overseas treatment to embrace regenerative medicine for better health and reduction in medical tourism.”
Source: PUNCH HealthWise
