The Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Prof Ikpeme A. Ikpeme speaking to the press after taking the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine reinstated that he’s sound and normal as there is no reaction whatsoever. “I feel good, nothing is wrong with me as am very fine. Every medicine as we know has an adverse effect/reaction but the question is, what is the percentage of such effect and how many persons have been affected compared to the majority of those who have taken this vaccine that are all safe and fine? This is a public health initiative for the good of our people and as such our people should all come out and get vaccinated” Prof Ikpeme stated.
After ensuring the successful distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine across the 18LGAs of the State the Commissioner for Health Dr Betta Edu alongside the Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Prof Ikpeme, the Chairman Medical Advisory Council Dr Michael Eyong, the DG Primary Health Care Dr Janet Ekpeyong and other health workers have today officially flagged off the vaccination exercise in UCTH where several Health workers have received the Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
Speaking immediately after undergoing the necessary processes of vaccinations the Health Commissioner Dr Betta Edu said that there is no doubt on the efficacy and safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine as recent research has shown 65% Efficacy and 100% protection from fatal complications like death. There is no drugs without side effects and for every side effect, they’re always remedies/solutions so this shouldn’t be exceptional even though we’re yet to discover any in the over 6000 taken.”
On his part, Prof Ikpeme thanked the Cross River State Government as well as the Health Ministry for the tremendous support and synergy accorded them all through this period of the COVID-19. The take home message from the Health Commissioner, the DG CRSPHCDA, the CMD as well as the CMAC to everyone is that; cross riverians should get vaccinated as they assured them that the vaccine is safe and efficient due to their experience after taking it.
