As Lagos State flagged off its vaccination exercise against the COVID-19 pandemic with 507,000 vaccines, many Lagosians seem to be circumspect about taking the vaccine.
In a Twitter poll carried out by Lagos Metropolitan (LM), as many as 52.4% of respondents who are believed to be Lagosians, said they would not be taking the vaccine. On the other hand, 33.3% said they would indeed be taking the vaccine while 14.3% said they may or may not be taking the vaccine.
In the Twitter poll carried out after some countries expressed concern about the AstraZeneca brand of vaccine being deployed in Nigeria, LM asked the question:
“If you are living in Lagos, would you take the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine currently being deployed in the state in spite of the concerns surrounding the vaccine around the world?”
One of the respondents in rejecting the vaccination said, “I don’t trust the govt to deliver the second dose efficiently.”
Another respondent said, “Yes, I will take the vaccine. I live in Lagos.”
Even though the poll gives a fair idea of middle class thinking in Lagos, by no means, can it be taken to represent the Lagos population of over 20 million since only 21 persons responded to the poll.
Lagos has been the epicentre of the pandemic in Nigeria having recorded 56,804 positive cases, with 55695 discharged, while 422 people sadly have died.
Speaking about the controversy surrounding the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, Professor Akin Abayomi, who received the first jab of COVID-19 vaccine in Lagos State said, “ the vaccine’s benefits continue to outweigh its risks, and the communication from WHO and relevant government agencies gives us confidence to proceed with vaccination to prevent a third wave of the pandemic.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) had on Friday advised countries to continue administering the AstraZeneca vaccine, stating that it was safe and effective.
The global health organisation’s advice is in response to the suspension of the vaccine’s use by 10 European countries, following claims of blood clot associated with its use.
