Vaccination helps avoid numerous infectious diseases. Vaccines provide protection, or immunity, against some diseases. You already should be familiar with the polio vaccine that almost every Nigerian child took. There are three main approved vaccinations against the virus that causes COVID-19 – Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, and the Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccination.
Nigeria received all three of these vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool in the fight against the corona. You may be concerned about the vaccine’s safety and its short- and long-term negative effects. That’s fine. In this article, we’ll be looking at how safe the COVID-19 vaccine is in Nigeria.
Development of the vaccines
Vaccine development takes years. However, COVID-19 vaccinations were created quickly. The WHO Trusted Source reports that over 200 possible COVID-19 vaccines were in development as of December 2020.
Scientists worldwide began examining the new coronavirus as soon as it was found and its genetic material was sequenced. They also discussed crucial study findings with colleagues. This high degree of cooperation helped the scientific and medical communities better understand the virus, how it causes sickness, and possible immunization and treatment options.
The COVID-19 vaccination uses cutting-edge technologies. But it’s been around for a while. For many years, scientists have been researching novel vaccines. This includes Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna’s mRNA vaccines. Before the pandemic, scientists were researching this strategy to create vaccinations for other viruses.
This previous research aided scientists in generating vaccines for the coronavirus. The process is relatively expensive. One reason is that it necessitates extensive efficacy and safety testing. These expenses skyrocket when a vaccination enters human clinical trials.
Is The Vaccine Safe?
Yes, the COVID-19 vaccines are very safe. Before a vaccine is permitted or licensed, it must pass three phases of clinical trials. The costs and the number of participants expand as the studies proceed. Vaccines against COVID-19 were funded early in the pandemic. With both public and commercial support, companies might efficiently perform vaccine research and clinical trials.
Normally, vaccine development and testing go in stages. A phase 2 clinical trial would begin only after a phase 1 experiment had ended. This takes time. During the epidemic, several of these dates were expedited. Companies also increased vaccine production while conducting clinical trials.
In Nigeria, National Regulatory Authorities, such as NAFDAC, which is based in each state ensure the vaccines are safe. The COVID-19 vaccinations will be evaluated against the same rigorous standards that are used for all other vaccines before they can be made available for use.
How To Get The Vaccine In Nigeria
Efforts to ensure that Nigerians have access to safe, effective, and efficacious COVID-19 vaccinations are being spearheaded by the Nigerian government, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). Only vaccines that have been approved by the Nigerian government and that are distributed through accredited channels should be made available.
You should refrain from accepting vaccines from unidentified sources. Only The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) is in charge of the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria. To register for COVID-19 vaccine, go to the NPHCDA e-registration page and follow the instructions. The National Public Health and Community Development Agency (NPHCDA) will give all information regarding the vaccination process.
Can the vaccination cause COVID-19?
The vaccination does not cause COVID-19. Neither Pfizer-BioNTech nor Moderna contain live viruses. So it can’t make you sick with COVID-19. Both vaccines use mRNA to induce a SARS-CoV-2 immune response.
The mRNA from your Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccination can enter your cells. These cells start producing spike proteins and exhibiting them. These spike proteins will be recognized as alien by immune system cells. As a result, your immune system will start producing antibodies in response to the spike protein.
If your immune system’s antibodies come across the coronavirus, they’ll detect it as an invader and destroy it before you get sick. After receiving the vaccine, your immune system will be primed to fight off and neutralize the actual virus.
Remember that your body builds immunity for a few weeks following immunization. You could be exposed to coronavirus before or after the vaccine and still get sick.
Short Term Side Effects Of COVID-19 Vaccine
Mild Effects
The COVID-19 vaccinations have comparable short-term side effects. The following side effects may occur within a few days of receiving the vaccine:
- Discomfort from the injection
- Redness from injection
- Tiredness
- Fever
- headache
- Body aches
- Nausea
- Swollen Nodes
Mild symptoms like those described above are common after vaccines. It’s actually a good sign. It suggests your body is preparing an immunological reaction. While these side effects aren’t pleasant, they usually subside within a few days. Body-wide side effects like weariness and fever are more likely after the second dose.
Severe Effects
COVID-19 vaccination has caused serious short-term effects on some rare occasions. This is usually for people with allergies. Immediate allergic reactions occur within 4 hours following vaccination and involve symptoms such as:
- Swelling
- Breathing problems
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Low BP
- Abdominal Pain
- Anaphylaxis
After receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, you will likely be observed for 15 minutes to ensure no major side effects occur.
Long Term Side Effects Of COVID-19 Vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccination has only been available since December 2020, therefore the long-term effects are unknown. Even though these vaccines are already being given to people, research will continue to assess their safety and efficacy. These research will also look at how long vaccination immunity lasts.
It is the goal of NAFDAC to continuously monitor side effects in persons who have received COVID-19 vaccines, as well as to uncover and assess new information that emerges about the benefits and safety of COVID-19 vaccines as soon as it becomes available.
Bottom Line
The COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria is safe, as it is in other countries. The NPHCDA has developed a phased COVID-19 vaccine roll-out plan in response to the availability of vaccines in the country. You can get the vaccine if you register.