The worrisome statistics on COVID-19 in FCT
It is increasingly worrisome that only 830,922 persons out of the 1,544,924 target have been administered the COVID-19 1st and 2nd dose vaccinations in the FCT since its rollout on March 15, 2021.
The nationwide downward trend of COVID-19 infections, coupled with the global relaxation of restrictions and guidelines, has no doubt proven to be a huge challenge to the administration of the vaccination.
FCT accounts for 12.4 per cent of the total COVID-19 cases in Nigeria where only 13 per cent of Nigerians have been administered the vaccine, ranking low when compared with other countries globally.
A recent report further reveals that a survey shows that 47 per cent of those interviewed said they can’t be infected by COVID-19 while 32 per cent said they don’t want to receive the vaccine.
The survey further showed that 38 per cent of those interviewed questioned the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine while 14 per cent said they didn’t trust the government so cannot receive the vaccine.
There is no doubt that hesitancy and misconceptions still exist about COVID-19; everyone is tired, as affirmed by the FCT Primary Healthcare Board during a recent one-day dissemination of COVID-19 findings and stakeholders’ meeting to improve the uptake of the vaccinations in the FCT.
It is high time the FCT population realised that taking the COVID-19 vaccination is not harmful so every eligible adult should be encouraged to go for it.
While we stress the importance and benefits of the COVID-19 vaccination, this is a clarion call for strengthening awareness aimed at dispelling rumours and misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccination. the land now belonged to them and that other non-indigenes should move out of the area.
Recently, Biu Emirate Council attempted to resolve the crisis. Hence, there is an urgent need for the relevant authorities to intervene to nip the crisis in the bud.
I, therefore, appeal to the government, security and traditional leaders to take effective and immediate action over the matter that is likely to affect people’s lives.