COVID-19 vaccine : 182, 614 vaccinated in Oyo State – Official

By Ogundele Olanrewaju

A total of 182,614 people have been so far vaccinated against COVID-19 across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State.

Mrs Oloruntosin Bolarinwa, the State Immunisation Officer made the disclosure, on Wednesday, in Oyo town during an advocacy meeting with traditional leaders and Chieftaincy administrators.

The advocacy meeting, held at the Plaza De Haruna hall, was organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in conjunction with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

According to Bolarinwa, during the first phase that started on March 24 and ended on July 10, we vaccinated a total of 163, 344 people.

“100,230 people received first dose while 63,114 people got the second dose during the first phase.

“For the ongoing second phase now, which started on Aug 23, we are using Astrazeneca and Moderna.

“So far, 7,740 people have received first dose of Astrazeneca, and 11, 530 people got the second dose.”She stated.

Speaking on the Moderna vaccine, Bolarinwa said almost 33,000 people have been vaccinated for the first dose while the second dose vaccination begins soon.

The Immunisation officer who explained that the report given was up to Sept 13, declared that the
state did not record any serious adverse effect on those that took the jab.

She implored the traditional rulers to use their respective positions as the fathers of all to prevail on their subjects to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

She urged the people to go out and take the vaccine, “get your first, second shot, get yourself protected thereby protect your community, not only protecting your community but be an encouragement to others so that everyone of us will be vaccinated”

Speakibg on behalf of UNICEF, Mrs Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, the Communication for Development Specialist for Akure Field Office, said the essence of the meeting was to reach out to traditional rulers who are the gate keepers of every community “to ensure that they know the important of COVID-19 vaccination.

“And also use their respective platform to encourage their community members to go out and get vaccinated.

“For us we believe there are so many rumours and misconceptions that gone out there, the traditional rulers can help us channel the right messages to the communities and encourage the people to stop spreading rumour.

Akinola-Akinwole, expressed satisfaction with the high turnout of the traditional rulers across the 33 LGAs at the meeting and charged the participants to be committed to the course of encouraging Nigerians to take COVID-19 vaccine.

The NOA State Director, Mrs Folake Ayoola, said the collaboration between her agency and UNICEF was to create more awareness on the need for the people to get vaccinated.

Ayoola urged all the participants to use the opportunity of the meeting to sensitise people in their respective communities to abide with COVID-19 protocols and guidelines as a way of curtailing its spread.

She also implored the traditional rulers to encourage residents in their respective communities to take COVID-19 vaccine.

Among the traditional rulers that participated in the advocacy meeting were Oba Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan; Oba Adeyeye Oyetunji, Alajaawa of Ajaawa and Oba Johnson Olatunde, the Alamodu of Ago-Amodu

The traditional rulers urged government and its relevant agencies to do more in creating awareness on the pandemic, noting that some people especially rural dwellers were yet to be adequately informed.

Alajaawa implored those in charge of the COVID-19 vaccination to bring vaccination and testing centres nearer to the people, especially rural communities.

The traditional rulers pledged their support in the fight against the pandemic and promised to encourage their subjects to take the vaccine.

Administrative secretaries across the 33 local government council areas also participated in the advocacy meeting.