COVID-19: Ebonyi Gov, Deputy, others take AstraZeneca vaccine

Top Government functionaries in Ebonyi State led by Governor Dave Umahi and his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe on Thursday took AstraZeneca vaccines.

The Governor’s wife, Mrs Rachel Umahi, and the wife of his Deputy, Mrs Ethel Igwe also took the vaccine.

This came as the state received 46,090 doses of its share of the vaccine.

Speaking at the brief ceremony to flag off the vaccination of the people of the state against the novel coronavirus pandemic, Governor Umahi urged the people of the state to feel free to get vaccinated, dispelling conspiracy theories about the vaccine.

While applauding President Muhammadu Buhari for showing true leadership by first taking the vaccine alongside other top Federal Government officials, Umahi said the vaccine will go a long way to checkmate the virus.

“Governors have started taking the vaccine and what we are doing is to inculcate confidence in our citizens, considering the level of fake news surrounding this vaccination.”

He further commended the presidential taskforce on COVID-19 led by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Boss Mustapha, for the wonderful work they were doing.
Umahi said: “Let me publicly acknowledge that we have gotten a total of 46,090 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines for Ebonyi State, which means we are expected to vaccinate 46,090 people in Ebonyi State.
“Let me thank Mr President, who is so concerned about the health of our people, and who made all the efforts to get this vaccine. There has been a lot of fake social media news concerning this vaccine but the beauty is that Mr President has proven leadership by taking the first shot with the Vice President and other senior Government officials.

“And Governors have started following suit, and what we are doing is to inculcate confidence in our citizens, considering the level of fake news surrounding this vaccination.

“I want to also commend the Chairman of Taskforce of COVID-19, the Secretary to the Government, His Excellency Boss Mustapha, for a very wonderful work he is doing with his team including Minister of Health, the Coordinator, and the DG of NCDC.

“The Good news is that we carry out an average of 50 tests in Ebonyi and in the past one week we have been getting like 49 negative and one positive. We are not going to soft-pedal until everyone is free of this pandemic. That’s when all of us can be said to be free of it.
“But let me say that myself, the deputy Governor have publicly taken this vaccine. Our wives will also do that. This vaccination is not compulsory, but what is compulsory is that you must observe the COVID-19 protocols.”