On receiving the Covax Vaccine, the President acknowledged the fact that Ghanaians are skeptical and reserved about the Covax Vaccine. He therefore assures Ghanaians of it's safety and urges Ghanaians to take part in the fight against the Covid 19 pandemic by taking the Vaccine.
Setting an example, the President, Vice President and some key government officials took the lead in the Vaccination process to remind Ghanaians of the safety of the Vaccine.
"It's important that I set the example that this vaccine is safe by being the first to have it, so that everybody in Ghana can feel comfortable about taking this vaccine". President Akuffo Addo said before receiving a shot of the Covax vaccine in a live broadcast.
Ghana was the first country to receive vaccines from Covax, led by Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
Without doubt, social media perceptions about the Vaccine have created a lot of doubt about the vaccine. Many around the world including Ghana, are very skeptical and remain undecided on taking the Vaccine.
A situation that stands to defeat the purpose of the vaccination. Yes, the vaccine is simply an internal preventive measure aimed at preventing the infection of the virus.
Just like the safety protocols such as washing of hands, use of nose masks and hand sanitizer prevent and fight the virus externally, the vaccine is to prevent and fight the virus internally.
It is believed that, even if by accident one gets into contact with the virus, the Vaccine should be able to fight it internally.
BUT IS THE VACCINE REALLY SAFE?
This is what a well known Health and Vaccine Experts have to say about the Vaccine.
According to Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are safe.
“Scientifically, these vaccines have been rigorously examined by now two external, tough committees, people not associated with the companies or the government,” Schaffner told Healthline. “And they have passed both committees with flying colors.”
Dr. Anne Liu, an infectious disease physician at Stanford Health Care in California, said there’s no reason to worry about any potential long-term side effects from the vaccination.
“People who are worried about long-term side effects may somewhat misunderstand how vaccines work. This is not something that stays in your body very long, and the immune response that is generated is fairly quick and should settle down fairly quickly over several weeks,” Liu told Healthline.
“It’s not like medications that can accumulate in your body. It’s not something that changes anything about your makeup so you can have effects from it later on,” she said.
Having said that, let's take a look at some conditions that raise some health concerns over the vaccine.
People With Medical Conditions
Clinical trials showed that the vaccine was similarly effective and safe among those with some underlying medical conditions as those without those conditions..
According to Blumberg, “We don’t have data on that for immunocompromised patients or patients with HIV. But we know that immunocompromised patients and HIV infected patients are likely at increased risk for severe COVID, so they still can receive vaccine".
People With Allergies
It is believed that there are some people who are allergic to some vaccinations. Such individuals are expected to speak to a doctor or a nurse providing the vaccination.
However, Those with a history of severe allergic reactions that aren’t related to vaccinations (food, venom, pets, latex) can still get vaccinated.
Pregnant Women and Breastfeeding Mothers
Even though pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers were excluded in the clinical trials, studies show that, both pregnant women and lactating mothers can take the Vaccination.
However, for the avoidance of doubt, one can inquire from a health practitioner or the vaccination officials before taking the vaccine.
Who Cannot Take The Vaccine?
As far as the Covax Vaccination is concerned, this is the only reason that should prevent one from taking the virus.
The Moderna vaccine is authorized for use in people 18 and older, and the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for use in those 16 and older.
At this time, the COVID-19 vaccine has not been studied in children, and they’re not authorized trusted sources to receive the vaccination.
This means that the only person or group of persons who cannot take the vaccine are persons below age 16.
Any other person, including persons with conditions stated above can take the vaccine without any form of worry.
What has so far been your major concern about the vaccine? Have you taken yours already? What has so far been your experience? Will you recommend or advise others to take the vaccine?
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Author: Seth K. Nartey
Email: [email protected]
Content created and supplied by: STNartey (via Opera News )
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