The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, NPHCDA on Friday said a total of 8,439 cases of mild, adverse effects have occurred over the application of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the country.
The cases, according to the NPHCDA came out of over a million persons vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.
Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib disclosed this at a joint press conference with the World Health Organisation, WHO, on Friday in Abuja.
While the mild reactions included body pains nausea, and swelling, the moderate to severe adverse events presented were fever, vomiting, diarrhea headaches, dizziness, and allergic reactions.
Shuaib explained further that 52 persons suffered moderate to severe adverse events at inoculation, while noting that Kaduna State recorded the highest rate of AEFI with 970 cases, followed by Cross River State with 859 cases, Yobe 541 cases, Kebbi 511 cases while Lagos recorded 448 cases of adverse events.
Dr Shuaib, however, insisted that so far, there has been no case of death or blood clot recorded from the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine vaccination in the country, he maintained that the vaccination rollout in the country has been marked by safety, efficiency, best practice, and speed.
He said: “When incidents, no matter how rare, appear in populations receiving the vaccine, relevant authorities must investigate to determine whether there may be a connection between the medical incident and the vaccine.
“At this stage, different countries are taking different approaches. In Nigeria, since the vaccination program was officially rolled out on 15th of April 2021, a total of 8,439 mild Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) have been reported.
“There has been no death from the administration of the vaccine. We have also not diagnosed any case of blood clots related to the administration of the vaccines.
“Nevertheless, we are working with NAFDAC, NCDC, and other relevant agencies to set up a more active surveillance system built on our experience with polio surveillance.”