By Osaigbovo Iguobaro
The Edo state government said persons who took the first doses of Covid-19 vaccines, but did not turn up for the second shots in due time have health consequences.
Dr. Osamwonyi Irowa, Edo State Permanent Secretary, ministry of Health disclosed this at Edo Covid-19 Taskforce briefing on Tuesday, in Benin City.
He noted that the clarification became necessary to enable the populace have immunity against the virus in the third wave.
“We have the vaccines, take the second and get full immunity. Having started with the first dose , there is no need to go back because one shot doesn’t protect you as much as you get protected when you have the two shots.
“There is a percentage protection you get from each shot and if you have your first shot within a known period of time that we have in our knowledge, your body will see the virus as if you have never had anything before that means your antibodies will wane”, he said.
According to him, “It is important to emphasise that many of these persons who are carrying the virus do not have any symptom. That does not mean that they are not Covid infected. But they are the ones that could transmit this virus to those persons who are hiding in their homes and out them at risk.
“The percentage of those that get sick are those we are preventing from dying”, he stressed.
Edo State Covid-19 Case Management, Dr. Ebomwonyi Osagie, said, four persons have died from Covid-19 within the past 24 hours since the 3rd wave of Covid-19.
He revealed that three of them were unvaccinated while one was partially vaccinated, bringing the Covid-19 death rate to 26 in Edo State.
World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Edo State, Mrs. Faith Ireye, said drowsiness and common cold are not enough reasons why people should run away from Covid-19 vaccination.
“We have heard some people complaining that when they took the first dose, they had muscular pain. But all that went away within few hours. The point is that having doubt or having Covid-19, which one is better?”.
