Minister of State for health, Dr. Olorunnibe Mamora on Friday expressed concerns over the suspension of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines by some European countries, saying it has been politicised.
Addressing newsmen at the inauguration of some projects at the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba, Mamora stated that he would be surprised if the random suspension of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines by European countries is unconnected to Brexit.
Brexit was the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community at the end of 31 January 2020
“One thing I will say as a personal opinion which I am not afraid to express is I won’t be surprised if politics is involved because of Brexit and what have you.
“But that is not the most important thing. The most important thing is that even the European Medicine Agency has come out to say the vaccine is safe and efficient. That is the most important thing.
“If you have given close to 20 million vaccinations and you have maybe less than 20,000, what percentage of the over 20 million is the 20,000? That is infinitesimal,” he said.
The minister said though the motive might be political; the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was safe and efficient for use.
He further noted that every drug was a potential poison, saying that “when you give a drug or a vaccine, it is because you have weighed the therapeutic advantages against the side effects.
”If the balance tilts in favour of the advantage, you will go for it as a clinician or medical doctor, adding that it’s the situation with the AstraZeneca vaccine,” he said.
The minister reiterated the government’s position not to allow the private sector, get involved in the distribution and administration of the vaccine because it wanted to take absolute responsibility.
“It is genuine. We can verify the source and don’t forget, the Federal Government signed an indemnity clause, that says we will take responsibility,” he added.
