SINCE the discovery of the dreaded Covid-19 in December 2019 by the World Health Organization (WHO), efforts have been intensified to save humanity from this agent of death. That explains why various health scientists in the world have spent sleepless nights to come out with a solution by way of manufacturing vaccines so that the monster causing human destruction could be eliminated and safe the human race; what with the colossal damage it has caused across the globe in the last one and half years.
TO combat the apparent danger, the Nigerian government, like many other responsible governments in the world, was not left out of this steady build up to save humanity. This was done through funding of scientific research works with the aim of finding a solution to the pandemic by different organizations, states and individuals who saw the opportunity as one to deplore their expertise to save the human face from destruction.
APPARENTLY disturbed by the danger and effects of the pandemic on economies and human capital; WHO effectively adopted a number of workable protocols and put in place with the hope of stopping the spread of the disease. Obviously when the vaccines started coming through the World Health Organization programme COVAX, the government did not waste time in applying it to its population. It did not stop there; a committee was set up to muster and advice Nigerians on the disease and its effect through a daily interface on what everyone needed to do to stay alive and safe.
WHILE government concentrated on doing all it could do, it encountered numerous challenges from Nigerians who came with unscientifically proven theories which hugely poisoned the minds of their country men and women against the vaccines. These so-called theories of conspiracy did not stop the government but only put people in doubt about the efficacy of the vaccines, and variously criticized what government had put in place for all to stay alive.
HOWEVER, it is unfortunate that the media which are supposed to be the vanguard of the campaign in educating the public on the need to take the vaccines try to shut the doors and creating all manners of theories around taking the vaccine; especially the social media became the hottest platform through which most people kept discouraging the public not to avail themselves of the services of the vaccines. In no small way, that negative campaign limited the effort and put people’s lives at jeopardy.
IT is a known fact that the third wave of the pandemic has been recorded in several countries, with Nigeria as no exception. The effects are hard on people and the economy. Efforts by government to vaccinate its citizens are however frustrated by people’s refusal to take the jabs; more so that many think it is a ploy to deceive them in order receive it. It must be noted that staying alive is a choice, but ensuring that all receive is an indication that the people desire a healthy world.
GIVEN the development, it is our view that the government should make the vaccination against the dreaded disease compulsory like it’s been applied in some countries. As it is, we know that efforts have been made to make the vaccine available; therefore, its availability is an indication of the joyousness of government to ensure all are vaccinated. The citizens must play their part, by availing themselves of the service. To be well is to stay safe and be vaccinated.
