By Foluke Sijuwola Falayi
I wasn’t really surprised when I heard that many Abuja residents are running helter-skelter to receive Covid 19 vaccine. Why the last-minute rush? If I remember very well, announcements had gone on for many months concerning the vaccine.
Why do we like to act only at the eleventh hour and after chastisement? Many Nigerians only understand the language of enforcement. People are hastening now because government has made it compulsory for its workers and those that have something to do with the government.
It is baffling when people delay something that’s beneficial to their health and well-being. Some Lagos residents went as far as presenting fake Covid vaccine cards. When would anyone do that? When the government does not impose something, many Nigerians do not take it seriously.
I remember in May 2021 when I took my first dose. As I was going outside of the hospital gate, I met an old friend. All efforts to convince her to take the vaccine proved abortive. Her response shocked me. She and a lot of other folks feel there are more important things at that time. What could be more important than staying alive and being in good health? More so, when the vaccine is free. Carefree attitude should not be entertained when it comes to one’s health.
Before and after I took the vaccine, I realised why Nigerians were not willing or prompted to take the vaccine: many Nigerians said there’s nothing like Covid 19, whereas it claimed the lives of notable and other Nigerians. Well, many Nigerians are afraid, they have listened to different tales concerning the vaccine.
Before I took mine, some had claimed the vaccine made them vomit, dizzy, sleep and eat more while some even said more terrible things. Before I took mine, I planned what I would eat, in case wouldn’t able to go the kitchen. I did some official tasks I ought to do prior to the day. To my surprise, after taking the vaccine from the hospital, we were instructed to wait for 15 minutes. I didn’t feel anything even though I complied.
First, second and third day came, and nothing bad happened to me. Our body types are different, for the reason that it made some people feel someway does not mean that you would react same way.
The fact that the vaccine can lower your risk of contracting coronavirus makes it important. And the vaccine can also prevent other serious illnesses and death.
It has some disadvantages – like risking your health, receiving the virus and unprotecting the lives of your loved ones. But the plus of the vaccine is greater than the minus. So stay safe and get vaccinated.
