Nigeria got her first set of covid vaccines on the 2nd of March, 2021. A total of 3.92 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were delivered to the country by Covax.
I got my shot exactly a week afterwards.
Before then I had held a discussion with a cousin who is also a medical doctor and we were both of the opinion that even if the vaccines were still in the initial trial phase, we would go for it.
The popular opinion of many Nigerans is that there is no need for taking drugs when there is no illness, and a huge chunk of the population, especially uneducated do not believe that covid exists. Sadly, on a general note, many Nigerians fail to take preventive measures seriously.
What are Vaccines?
“Vaccines contain weakened or inactive parts of a particular organism that triggers an immune response within the body. [1]
A vaccine sensitizes or helps to prepare the body for future attacks from said virus. The body builds up the memory of the pathogen so as to have its defense tactics in store for possible infections (attacks).
How Does the AstraZeneca Work?
The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is also known as ChAdOx1nCov-19 or AZD1222. The vaccine uses a double stranded DNA which embeds the Virus’ genetic instructions for building its spike proteins, which in turn launches an immune response in the human body.
Due to DNA being tougher than RNA, the AstraZeneca doesn’t need to stay frozen and can be stored safely in refrigerators, which is big plus for economies with poor or no electricity.
AstraZeneca is currently the only covid vaccine being administered in Nigeria and while a few Europeans countries have put administering it on hold, here are a few reasons why I believe you should get the covid vaccine, either Astrazeneca or any other one available in your location.
Reasons to Get Your Covid Vaccine
1. For Your Protection
Several studies have proven the covid vaccine to be capable of reducing the number of infections, the severity of the infections, thereby reducing disabilities and mortalities. The covid vaccine is meant to boost your immune system and in turn reduce the complications of a possible infection.
2. To Protect Others
Vaccinating one person to protect others is what is meant by herd immunity. You might be in top notch health, but your aged parents and neighbours are not, your diabetic or hypertensive family member is not, immunocompromised persons who can not get the vaccine are not, do it for them.
3. If you’ve gotten all the other vaccines in the past, what trouble is one more?
Every medicine, drug, vaccine is a potential poison. And people will react differently to all medications. This really isn’t news, so all the news about the covid vaccines causing adverse reactions is to be expected. Recently created vaccines have the greater advantage of more knowledge, the technology now is better, the science and evidence is also clearer.
4. For travel reasons
I’ll be honest, this was one of my biggest motivations. I like to be ready for a possible trip. A few governments and airlines have mentioned the possibility of covid vaccination being a requirement for travel in the future. And some countries have gone ahead to implement this rule, for example; Iceland, Poland, Ecuador, Belize, Seychelles, Georgia, Estonia and Guatemala
5. Getting the vaccine is cheaper and less riskier than getting the disease
Easier for you, easier for your family, easier for your doctors and easier on the economy. In the short and long term when risks are compared, the number of people who have died from getting covid is a thousand fold higher than those who died from getting the vaccine. 2,818,899 people worldwide (as of 31/03/2021), [2][3]. All in all, the total number of deaths with the vaccine is much more less than the total number without the vaccines.
6. Set a Responsible example. Join the global Immunization Campaign to save more lives
Currently Immunization helps to save about 3 million lives each year, if more Governments and people were willing to get vaccines and promoted vaccination coverages, this could increase to about 4.5 million lives saved each year.
7. We need you safe and alive.
Yes you, I need you to read this post. Your friends, your family, coworkers need you in ways you may or may not imagine. We all need you alive. If there’s one simple action you could take to increase your chances of staying healthy and alive, you ought to go for it. Give the covid vaccine a chance!
SOURCES
