Gov. Ikpeazu Takes Second Astrazeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

The governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has completed his Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine dosage in line with the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and World Health Organizations (WHO) directives.

Ikpeazu who disclosed this on Tuesday, that he took the second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 on Sunday (at the weekend) at the Governor’s Lodge in Aba which was administered by his personal physician, Dr. Michael Enyinnah, urged Abians who took the first jab of the Astrazeneca Covid-19 vaccine to ensure that they complete the dose, adding that failure to do so is tantamount to drug abuse.

Ikpeazu further stated that with the completion of the dosage of the vaccine, he had now acquired the needed immunity against the pandemic, insisting that the use of vaccines to fight the diseases have been with mankind for a very long time and expressed optimism that mankind will overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

He strongly advised the people of Abia State to take advantage of the availability of the vaccines in the State now and get vaccinated at designated locations across the State.

The Governor was later presented with the Vaccination Certificate by the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Adindu.

“I completed my full dosage of the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 with the 2nd dose taken Sunday.

“The 2nd dose is a booster dose after the 1st vaccination to make sure it gives the desired immunity. Truth is, there’s no point going halfway as that will amount to abusing the vaccine. So, it’s an obligation & I’m glad I’ve completed mine.

“As a scientist myself, let me State clearly that vaccines are not new to us. They’ve always been used against outbreaks of epidemics. That is why we have vaccines against other diseases of similar characteristics.

“There’s no known medical justification for anyone not to get vaccinated against COVID-19 especially now that the scourge is still very much active in India & other countries that have high migration rates to & fro Nigeria.

“In view of that, the best strategy to protect ourselves from it, is by taking the vaccine and having faith that it continues to confer the desired immunity on those who complete the required dosage. 

“I therefore urge every citizen to avail themselves of the availability of the vaccine to do the needful because a time may come when it will be very difficult to find the vaccine.  A stitch in time saves nine,” said Ikpeazu.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Osuji assured that the vaccine is safe and there has been no reports of any adverse side effects on those who took the first jab.