The Ogun State Government has again assured residents that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and does not in any way impact negatively on fertility in women and men.

          Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, gave the assurance at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, during the flag-off ceremony of COVID-19 Mass Vaccination in Tertiary Institutions in Ogun State saying, it was a propaganda that should be discarded.

          "Thus far, the vaccine has been in use for at least twelve months in other climes and they haven't shown any negative impact on fertility. The study is continuing to ensure that the information remains true. If you look at the way the vaccine works, it doesn't have the propensity for ovaries or testicles”, Coker assured.

          She noted that the mass vaccination campaign became imperative to mitigate the impact of the virus on the education sector, adding that it had grossly affected the teaching and learning process, as well as the ability to socialise.

          "COVID-19 has made it impossible to freely interact physically and bond. The ability to socialise is key because we are created to interact and for us to do that, we need to be vaccinated", Coker said.

          Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Tayo Lawal challenged students to be ambassadors of the mass vaccination campaign by encouraging their loved ones to take the vaccine, in order to return to the normal teaching and learning process.

          In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola explained that the present phase was flagged-off by the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to ensure that two million residents were vaccinated before the festive period, enjoining the students to seize the opportunity and be vaccinated.

          “It will be recalled that the vaccination campaign kick-started in March this year, with the first and second phases targeted at the aged and most vulnerable, now we are continuing the process by vaccinating students and other residents in the State”, Ogunsola said.

          In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olatunde Ganiyu, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, appealed to the students to embrace the vaccine, appreciating the State government for the gesture.

          In her goodwill message, representative of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Gloria Archibong and her counterpart from the National Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Victoria Adebiyi noted that vaccination is one of the proven measures of individual protection from the virus and interrupting its spread, assuring that the vaccine is safe and effective.

          Speaking on behalf of other students, a representative of the Student Union Government, Comrade Oluwapelumi Lamutu, commended the State government for prioritising the well-being of students, encouraging others to get vaccinated