Residents of Ogun State have been called upon to embrace the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination, to reduce the effect of the third wave of the pandemic.

The Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, made the call during the flag-off ceremony in Abeokuta, assuring that the vaccine was the most effective way to protect against the severity of the virus.

Salako-Oyedele who affirmed that those who received the first phase of the vaccine are healthy and alive with no side effects, enjoined eligible residents that are yet to be vaccinated to seize the opportunity by visiting the nearest facility close to them to receive their jab.

“I call on everyone that are yet to be vaccinated to seek this opportunity to do so. The first set of people that have been vaccinated early this year did not show any sign of negative effect of the vaccine”, she said.

Contributing, the Zonal Coordinator, National Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr. Adejoke Adesope, appealed to relevant stakeholders such as Local Government Chairmen, community and religious leaders to support the efforts of the Government by encouraging people in their communities to take the vaccine.

In their separate goodwill messages, the State Coordinator, World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Sunday Abidoye, his counterpart from United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Pharm. Florence Molokwu and the representative, Africa Center for Disease Control (ACDC), promised the continuous technical support of their various organisations at improving the life expectancy of the people, commending the State government on the successful implementation of the first phase.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman, Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Mr. Tunde Gazal, assured of doing their best at ensuring that people get vaccinated.

Highlight of the event was the administration of the Morderna vaccine by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker on immunisation clients present at the event.