Cross River Records Huge Turnout as Dr Janet Ekpenyong Requests High Demand For Covid-19 Vaccination

 

History was made on Thursday as Cross River State commenced vaccination and Cross Riverians volunteered themselves to be among the first sets of Frontline workers to be vaccinated against the dreaded Covid-19 virus using the Astrazeneca Vaccines.

The 53, 840 dose vaccines which arrived the state capital Calabar late Wednesday, March 10th 2020 has witnessed strict supervision by all regulatory bodies and partners including UNICEF, WHO and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency for vaccine potency and handling.

First on the recipient list was the Director of Laboratory Services in the Doctor Lawrence Henshaw Infectious Disease Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, Mrs Magdalene Nkang after her biometrics were gotten and stipulated fit for the vaccine adminstration .

Reacting to the huge turn out and voluntary registration by health workers, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong applauded the Frontline workers for trusting the process as she encouraged them to live within the stipulated guidelines which exposes individuals to contracting the Corona virus .

She encouraged eligible citizens who have registered or not to remain calm as the state commences the distribution of vaccines to various Local Government Areas as health workers were already trained in the handling, storage and administration of the vaccine.

Speaking earlier, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu urged Cross Riverians not to be worried or entertain fear in their hearts, as she urged health workers and the elderly to come out enmarse to be vaccinated.

She therefore urged those who were vaccinated to return to their places of Administration within 12 weeks for the final dose while also checking for any adverse effe t within the time under review.

Responding to questions on what prompted her to take the vaccine, Mrs Magdalene Nkaga said , "As a medical practitioner collecting Covid-19 samples and others, I need the cover to boost my immunity. For now, I am not feeling any adverse effect at all but I will ensure that I keep close check on my health ".

Among the first sets of Frontline Workers were the state Epidemiologist ,State cold chain officer, Mrs Cassie, Mr Ephraim Chukwu of UNICEf, Mr Edem Edem of Daily Post, Mr Sunday Obeten among others.