By MUIDEEN OLANIYI

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday said he did not feel any pinch while being vaccinated against Coronavirus.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Osinbajo got the jab on live TV, a day after the COVID-19 national vaccine programme started with the vaccination of healthcare and frontline workers at the National Hospital, Abuja.

Laolu Akande, Spokesman of the Vice-President, quoted Osinbajo to have said: “The thing was not painful at all. I didn’t even feel the pinch.”

On his part, Buhari called on all eligible Nigerians to present themselves and be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Personal Physician to the President, Dr Sanusi Raafindadi, administered the vaccine to him while that of the Vice President was done by his Personal Physician, Dr Nicholas Audifferen.

Buhari said his decision to take the vaccine in public was ‘‘a demonstration of leadership and faith in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.’’

‘‘I have received my first jab and I wish to commend it to all eligible Nigerians, to do same so that we can be protected from the virus,’’ he said.

Buhari said since the beginning of the year 2020, humanity has remained under the burden of COVID-19 pandemic, an unseen but very potent enemy around the world.

‘‘Infection from the virus has resulted in over two million and five hundred thousand fatalities and destroyed several global and national systems.

‘‘The response in Nigeria and the ECOWAS sub-region has been robust, collaborative and united. It was driven by a collective knowledge of the fact that ‘no country is safe until every country is safe.

‘‘The speedy development of the COVID-19 vaccines is quite significant and underscores the collective resolve of humanity to overcome the pandemic.

‘‘Similarly, the collaborative effort to ensure equal access has brought relief to poor and developing countries,’’ he said.

President Buhari spoke of the assurance by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF) that the AstraZeneca vaccine which Nigeria has accessed would arrive in batches beginning with the four million doses already received.

He said the roll out and administration plan would cater for over seventy percent of Nigeria’s population in 2021 and 2022.

In his remarks, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said the jab is painless as a narrow gauge syringe was used with small quantity injected in the upper arm, adding that the after effects are mild and little discomfort follows in the area that was injected.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said with the memorable event, vaccine hesitancy had given way to the reality. (Daily Trust)

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