In a bid to slow down the debilitating effect of the COVID 19 pandemic, scientists all over the world have come up with different vaccines with varying efficacy and function. Currently, every Nigerian citizen has the right to collect any of six different Covid-19 vaccine types provided by NPHCDA in Nigeria. The parastatal in charge of the vaccination program is the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and today, we intend to show you how to get yours.
Why You Should Get Vaccinated
Before we dive into the vaccination process, it is pertinent to discuss a few reasons the process is important. Let’s do a quick memory jug. The COVID-19 disease started towards the end of 2019, and since then, the world has recorded over two hundred and fifty million cases.
The virus has also taken more than five million lives within two years. Moreover, the mainstay of treatment of infected persons is supportive as the medical world is yet to identify a single treatment agent for the virus. This lack of definitive treatment makes the disease debilitating alongside its long-term complications.
Another major contributing factor to the death toll is the increased virulence in elderly people and those with underlying comorbidities. The virus’s incredible transfer rate and transmission method through air droplets also make it a major concern for health professionals.
To this end, scientists began work and intense research since the onset of the pandemic and have successfully created various vaccines and treatment regimens against the virus. Vaccination remains the most important protections against the virus since the disease has no known cure at the moment.
It also helps procure herd immunity. The meaning of this is that as more people get vaccinated, the less spread rate among such populations. Furthermore, vaccination protects you and reduces your chance of contracting most strains of the virus.
The virus is still spreading, and the recent incident rate shows that it might not go anytime soon. Hence, the best way to stop the economic, social, and political effects of the pandemic is to get vaccinated.
For front-line health workers that come in contact with patients with various illnesses, vaccination is very crucial as the disease mimics the most common respiratory diseases. The health worker might get infected before making a diagnosis of COVID-19. As such, the government has made them a priority and made the vaccine available at all frontline centers.
People who work in government agencies and parastatals must also get vaccinated as they come in contact with important personalities daily. As a rule, most government agencies have made it mandatory to get the vaccine.
Also, if you wish to travel out of the country, you just get vaccinated. Apart from the yellow fever vaccine which is mandatory for most travelers, many countries have made the COVID-19 vaccination card a compulsory travel document.
Some companies and private firms also require their staff and prospective employees to get vaccinated for the protection of their brand. These are some of the reasons you must embrace the vaccine and protect those around you including yourself.
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How to Get Vaccinated
At the onset of the vaccination program, the NPHCDA made the vaccine available specifically for front-line health workers and those who just recovered from the disease. It was also available for those above eighteen and senior citizens with underlying comorbidities. The registration process starts with visiting the NPHCDA websites to get an ID. After that, you can proceed to any of the accredited vaccinated sites to get the first dose.
Recently, the procedure has been changed to make things easier. The vaccine has also been made available for every citizen in the country. All you need to do is visit any accredited vaccination center in your local government or state.
These centers include federal teaching hospitals, state general hospitals, primary health care centers, the state ministry of health, and other accredited private centers nationwide.
On your first visit, you can present your vaccination ID if you have one. If you do not, you must fill a form with the attendants, which will contain your biodata and vaccination number. This information will also be written on your card.
The next step is to wait in line to get your first dose. Typically, the health worker will ask you some questions to ascertain your fitness. Thereafter, you’ll be given the injection. Most vaccine types in Nigeria require two doses, and as such, you’ll be given another date which is usually four weeks to come and receive the second dose.
As a general rule, the health worker will also educate you on the possible side effects of the vaccine and measures to take if you have one. Possible side effects include pain at the injection site, redness, swelling, and difficulty moving the limbs. Some people have also reported malaise, fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite.
If you experience any of these symptoms, the best thing is to report them to the hospital immediately especially if they persist after three days. Some quarters have advised the use of anti-inflammatory drugs following the collection of the vaccine.
Typically, the whole process should be done in a few minutes depending on the number of people at the center. On your second visit, the health worker will mark your card after receiving the second dose. This card will serve as vaccination proof in case you must present it at any official place like agencies, airports, or overseas.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Available in Nigeria by NPHCDA
Currently, the government has allowed up to six different COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria. The first is the non-replicating viral vector type which is also known as oxford. This vaccine is available in more than a hundred countries and has undergone more than forty-seven trials.
Another type is the COVID-19 vaccine provided by NPHCDA in Nigeria is Moderna which is an mRNA vaccine. It is approved in more than seventy countries and has undergone more than thirty successful trials. We also have the Johnson and Johnson type, which is approved in more than seventy countries.