Coronavirus Pandemic, Featured
With the pronouncement of the World Health Organisation and other experts on the safety of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, there is no need for this controversy as the pandemic is still claiming thousands of lives daily and ravaging several economies.
By Anthony Isibor
THE reports of sporadic reactions to the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine have raised questions of the potency and efficacy of the vaccine. Some European countries like the Republic of Ireland, Bulgaria, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and most recently, the Netherland have had to temporarily suspend the use of the vaccine.
But some stakeholders in the fight against the deadly coronavirus have continued to lend their voices in an effort to allay the fears arising from allegations of complications of a blood clot, a condition that many have ascribed to be caused by the vaccine.
The World Health Organization, WHO has argued that the European Union, EU, has from the data received, considered this same information and decided to continue using the vaccine in their immunization programs as the benefits far outweigh the risks.
According to the WHO, only a small fraction of people, – around one person in every 1 million people vaccinated may have a severe allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine, known as Anaphylaxis, blood clot.
WHO insisted that just as people could react to the use of common drugs, they could also react to the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. It recommends that before the first dose, clients should inform the vaccinating team about any allergic reaction they may have had in the past.
“Some people could react to the vaccine, especially those with a history of anaphylaxis to one of the vaccine constituents, which may have a higher risk of reaction following COVID-19 vaccination.
“Similarly, if the person provides a history of anaphylaxis with a previous dose of the same vaccine, he or she should be advised not to take the vaccine.’’
“Vaccination against COVID-19 will not reduce illness or deaths from other causes. Thromboembolic events are known to occur frequently. Venous thromboembolism is the third most common cardiovascular disease globally.
“In extensive vaccination campaigns, it is routine for countries to signal potential adverse events following immunization. This does not necessarily mean that the events are linked to the vaccination itself, but it is good practice to investigate them. It also shows that the surveillance system works and that effective controls are in place, the statement said.
“The WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety is carefully assessing the latest available safety data for the AstraZeneca vaccine. Once that review is completed, WHO will immediately communicate the findings to the general public.
“At this time, WHO considers that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its risks and recommends that vaccinations continue,” the statement said.
The European Medicines Agency, EMA, which earlier tested and approved the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for people within the ages of 18 and above has promised to provide a report to ascertain the relationship or otherwise between the few deaths recorded so far and the use of the vaccine.
The EMA’s safety committee has been making a detailed evaluation of a small number of cases concerning blood clots occurring in recipients of the vaccine.
The EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee, PRAC, would issue any necessary recommendations for further action after its meeting on Thursday.
“Rapid and thorough analysis of the available data and clinical circumstances surrounding specific cases are continuing to determine whether the vaccine might have contributed or if events are likely to have been due to other causes,’’ the EMA said.
Both the EMA and the WHO recommended continuing inoculation with AstraZeneca’s vaccine until further notice.
For James Gallagher, a presenter with the BBC, it is better to have the allergic reactions that one may or may not experience than contacting COVID.
“Let’s be clear, even with hindsight I would do it all again. I’d rather have side effects than COVID, or another year of restrictions, or a higher chance of accidentally passing the virus onto a loved one,” he said.
In Nigeria, Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director and CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, said during the Presidential Covid-19 briefing on Monday that the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccines had been distributed to all the states of the federation except Kogi state and that, out of the over 8000 Nigerians, who have been vaccinated, there have been no records of any severe reactions.
“As you are aware, AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccines have been distributed to all states and the first phase of our vaccination focusing on frontline health workers and others on essential duties have begun in earnest,” he said.
He disclosed that the vaccines have been disbursed to all state governors apart from Kogi.
“Over 8,000 Nigerians have been administered with the vaccine. We have not received any official report of serious adverse effects from any of those who have been vaccinated.
“Mild side effects such as pain and swelling at the site of the vaccination are expected. This is normal with any vaccination and we are working closely with NAFDAC to monitor any unusual adverse reactions,” he said.
As a proactive precautionary measure, Shuaib announced the introduction of the MED-SAFTY app.
“NAFDAC has introduced the MED-SAFETY App for people to download and install on their Android and Apple devices to report any adverse event following immunization, AEFI.
He added that the safety and efficacy of the brand have been tested and proven to be enough in protecting people against COVID-19, before it was endorsed by WHO and several countries, including Nigeria.
In addition, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, has backed the continued use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in spite of concerns about its safety.
Rising from its 28th Emergency Teleconference Meeting, the governors, who reiterated their belief in the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccines, noted that as state executives, they are committed to continuously encourage the use of the vaccines by all eligible persons in their states.
In a communiqué signed at the end of the meeting by the NGF Chairman and Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, the governors urged Nigerians to remain calm and report any adverse events noticed following COVID-19 vaccination.
While we choose to wait in absolute suspense for the EMA’s report on the AstraZeneca vaccine, Vietnam may have taken a better proactive measure.
Vietnam government yesterday announced the introduction of its first, domestically developed Covid-19 vaccine, called Nanocovax, a homegrown vaccine.
According to Nguyen Thanh Long, Vietnam’ Health minister, the country has no plans of suspending the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine but had to be ready for any emergencies.
Since there is no cure for the virus, the world should listen to the WHO and experts on their verdict on the vaccine and take the vaccine to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
– Mar. 19, 2021 @ 17:59 GMT
A.I
Tags: AstraZeneca vaccine Controversy trails AstraZeneca vaccine EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee Faisal Shuaib NAFDAC NPHCDA World Health Organization
