Minister: People are paying to be vaccinated — NOT necessary

Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, has raised the alarm over COVID-19 vaccine racketeering at some vaccination centres in Nigeria.

Speaking at Monday’s briefing by the presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19, the minister cautioned Nigerians against paying for the vaccine as “everyone will be vaccinated (for) free.”

On March 5, Nigeria began vaccinating citizens against the coronavirus which has so far killed over 2,000 persons out of the 161,700 infected.

Those willing to be vaccinated were asked to register on a government portal after which they will receive the dose in the order of the government’s priority.

But the process has now turned fraudulent in some centres, according to Ehanire, who was represented by Abdullaziz Abdullahi, permanent secretary of the federal ministry of health.

“We have received reports of racketeering in some of the designated vaccination centres. This is not necessary,” he said.

“Vaccination has been scheduled in phases such that frontline health workers and those at higher risk of the infection are vaccinated first after registration at the portal.

“Everyone will be vaccinated free and everyone will eventually be vaccinated. There is no need to pay to be vaccinated.”

The minister also said the government met with a group from AstraZeneca, whose vaccine Nigeria is using.

“The outcome of the meeting was a reassurance of the safety and efficacy of the vaccine against COVID-19.
“We have not yet recorded unusual side effects among those who have received the vaccine including myself,” he said.

He added that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is monitoring the vaccination process to track any adverse effect of the vaccine.

“Anyone who has received the vaccine and is experiencing any adverse reaction should please report to NAFDAC or at the centre where you received the vaccination,” he said.