Commissioner of Health, Dr AMINA MOHAMMED BALONI, explained that although some people have had two shots of either
When Covid-19 vaccine was first introduced, people were assured that two doses of the vaccine would immunize them against Coronavirus. Now, we are told that people should take a booster shot to get maximum protection. Has the virus developed resistance to the earlier doses?
As you know, the vaccine was developed about a year after the pandemic began based on the variant of the virus that was circulating at the time. This was unprecedented because the cooperation across the whole of the scientific world and building on the advances made with earlier candidate vaccines following the work done on the SARS and MERS viruses. At that time, it was discovered that two doses of the vaccine confer protection against severe disease and death. When the Delta variant came along, this was more dangerous than the first variant. Luckily, the vaccines still offered protection from severe disease and death. More recently, the new omicron variant which is spreading at an alarming rate emerged. This version of the virus has multiple mutations which makes it more transmissible which means it spreads faster and tests have shown that the protection offered by the two doses was much lower. Hence the need for a booster dose which was shown in recent tests to provide protection against the new variant.
You should remember that the Covid virus is a relatively new discovery, and we are learning about it everyday and as we learn, we must adopt strategies to protect the population from its effects. As long as the pandemic continues, and people are not vaccinated, there is a chance the virus will continue to mutate and may evade the immunological response so we have to be vigilant and protect ourselves from Covid using both pharmaceutical (with vaccines) and non-pharmaceutical means (washing hands, physical distancing and masking up).
Is the third jab for all category of people and demographics or for people of certain age and conditions? Can someone
All persons of 18 years and above that have had their two doses of vaccine and they have reached six months after the second dose are eligible for a booster dose. In country and in this state, we have vaccinated people using the
Must the booster shot be of the same vaccine brand as the two earlier doses? For example, if someone was earlier vaccinated with
The recommendation is for a person
What is the strategy for
We have a very robust plan to ensure that all eligible people get the vaccination. As you know, we are getting the vaccines through the COVAX facility and they come into the country in batches,
Reports indicate that there is still resistance to Covid-19 vaccines, what is the government doing to win over the sceptics?
The hesitancy in accessing vaccines is unfortunately due to lack of information. Unfortunately, there have been all sorts of untrue stories being peddled about, fake clips being circulated on social media and fueled by some persons
We are making progress as more people are now trying to get the vaccines every day. I would like to also say that this is not a job only for government. Government has a responsibility to ensure the well-being of its citizens, but it is also a personal responsibility to take care of one's own health and protect ourselves, our families and loved ones as well as our communities. This is an unprecedented situation, the pandemic has disrupted our lives and livelihoods and we must do everything to restore both. Vaccines, coupled with public health measures like handwashing, respiratory hygiene, wearing of masks in public places, physical distancing and avoiding large gatherings, especially that we have a new highly transmissible variant, is key to that.
Has the Omicron variant been discovered in
We have not found the variant currently in
In terms of symptoms, what is the difference between the Delta variant and Omicron variant of Covid-19?
The symptoms of Covid infection are the same, cough, sore throat, fever, loss of smell and sometimes taste but we have found is that the Delta variant tends to have more severe symptoms and is also more severe in those that are unvaccinated. The omicron variant which recently appeared seems to have less severe symptoms and spreads faster, but studies are still ongoing. So, there is no difference in symptoms but only in severity of symptoms.
So far, what has been the fatality rate across the country, owing to Omicron infection?
We have not heard any reports of fatalities from the omicron variant but as you know this variant was only identified at the end of November, so we are still tracking its effects and outcomes.
OMICRON Facts
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-It was first detected in specimens collected on
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-A week later, NCDC announced the discovery of three new cases in a statement by its Director General, Ifedayo Adetifa;
-All cases were detected in individuals with travel history to
-As at
-So far, the Omicron variant has not been found in
-Some samples have been taken to the
-The symptoms of Covid infections are the same-cough, sore throat, fever, loss of smell and sometimes taste but that the Delta variant tends to have more severe symptoms. Omicron spreads faster.
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