The biggest thing that happened across the world in 2020 was the COVID-19 pandemic, yes some can say its global effect was challenged by the Black Lives Matter movement or the Nov 4th US general Election. But in truth, nothing as big as the COVID-19 pandemic has hit so many countries across the globe simultaneously as it did.
But one of the biggest joys of 2021 was the discovery of a vaccine for the deadly virus, which came to a lot of persons as the best news going into the new year 2021. However, as much as its arrival has been greeted with so much joy it has a lot been met, with so much pessimism.
Now question that came after that was why would anybody be against the vaccine or somewhat a shield the world needs against this deadly virus. Well, some arguments about it were raised some of which seem valid and some were just complete hogwash. Some of those valid arguments would be discussed and why they maybe valid or not;
1. A Western Agenda:
This seemed at first to be the biggest argument, going by all of the rumours that had made headways all through last year while the deadly COVID-19 was at its heights.
A narrative was sold that the vaccine and the virus were all planned and was targeted at Africans. With most backing the conspiracies, coming after the former richest man in the world Bill Gates said he feared for Africa the most because of the level of poverty on the continent. Bill Gates after the virus hit Africa said he was surprise why it didn’t affect Africans as much as he expected and later made an excuse that poverty is the reason why it didn’t affect as much persons in Africa.
This led to some clergymen and even some top Nigerian politicians like Dino Melaye and the former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode who all claimed that the COVID-19 was a western Agenda and further played on the narrative when the vaccine was discovered. They went on to claim it was produced by Bill Gates to push an agenda to plant nanochips in Africans. Well truth be told this consipiracies don’t add-up are just pure hogwash. Â
2. Use Made In Nigeria/Africa:
With years of working with vaccines it is still baffling that Africa can’t yet produce vaccines of their own and have to buy from other countries/continents. If it is put to note that the current AstraZeneca vaccine been used on the continent at moment was made in India, by the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer. Who have over the years built up the capacity. Where is Africa on this bench, and on the case of Nigeria just maybe this thinking is the reason why the country’s Senate President Ahmad Lawan had declared that Nigeria needs to start producing its own COVID-19 vaccines. Just maybe another valid reasons why their should be a resistance against COVID-19 vaccines imported into Africa.
3. Locally proven remedies for COVID-19:
This might just lead to a significant break-through for Nigeria only if we believed more in our local traditional medical practitioners more. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was one of the first Governors to contract the deadly COVID-19 virus and reportedly said he was cured of the virus using local remedies.
Gov Makinde recovery from the virus was almost magical and till date one of the fastest he claimed he used honey, Vitamin C and Blackseed Oil to treat himself when he was infected. Which he later said he sent to Bauchi State Governor when he also contracted the virus and it helped him recover too speedily and some other notable Nigerians.
This illustration picture taken in Paris on November 23, 2020 shows a syringe and a bottle reading “Covid-19 Vaccine” next to AstraZeneca company and University of Oxford logos. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP)
Well, the fear of the Vaccine causing more harm than cure could be another reason to fear it and not receive the COVID-19 jab. The AstraZeneca vaccine and some other COVID-19 vaccines have current been banned in at least 6 countries across Europe due to its after use effect. Some of which includes blood-clotting, skin rashes, and more reactions. Just maybe this could be another valid point as to why Africans and Nigerians should avoid it. With note that Africans general seem to have a stronger immune system to the effects of the virus and seems to have come out of its attack relatively least affected as compared to other parts of the world.
5. Fear Of Fake Vaccines:
Are there really Fake vaccines in the country – Well just maybe in Nigeria this is another valid reasons why some people are scared of receiving the COVID-19 jabs. Recall a Rivers State government official that works directly with the Governor of the State, Nyesom Wike, who at the point of receiving his jab was very insistent on seeing the carton where the jab taken out of before he could receive his jab.
This could just be another valid reasons as to why some have refused to take the COVID-19Â jab after seeing a high-placed offcial refusing to take his and not trusting the process which he works for and earns his livelihood from that speaks a lot of where a lot of persons still stand on the situation of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Recall also that a prominent Nigerian governor till date still doesn’t believe that the virus is real and deadly enough describing it as a “glorified Malaria fever”.
Recall also that the so unnamed Governor turned down the vaccine from the FG to come into the his state. He warned the residents of his state to shine there eyes before recieving the COVID-19 vaccines after later concuring to allow into his state.
Photo Credit: Getty
