The Ogun State Government has advised residents who have completed their first and second doses of COVID-19 Vaccination to go for booster jabs, in order to break the chain of transmission and increase level of immunity.

           Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola who made this known in Abeokuta, during a chat with OGIS correspondent, said this became necessary to prevent possible upsurge in the State during the Yuletide season.

          Dr. Ogunsola said the upsurge in cases around the globe and the emergence of Omicron variant necessitated the introduction of the booster dose, noting that the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine would be administered to those who had the Astrazeneca as their first and second jabs, while Morderna vaccine would be given to those who had it as their initial two shots.

          He stated that vaccination is a proven measure of curbing the spread of the virus, as well as ensuring less severity and fatalities in case of possible infection, calling on eligible persons to get vaccinated.

          The Executive Secretary added that the aim was to ensure the State achieve herd immunity and safeguard it from possible upsurge that is already prevalent in neighbouring States, particularly due to its strategic location as gateway State in the southwest region.

          "We have 60 days to vaccinate and if we can achieve this, we will have what is called ‘herd immunity’. This will help break the chain of transmission of the disease. With this innovation coming up in the country, the curve of COVID-19 will be flattened", he said.

          The Executive Secretary highlighted some of the strategies put in place by the Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration to curtail the spread of the infection to include, provision of mobile vaccination sites at tertiary institutions and religious mass gatherings, increase in vaccination sites from 103 to about 300 to cover selected private health facilities across the State, among other things.

          He assured that the vaccines are safe for nursing mothers, advising pregnant women who wish to take the jabs to consult with their doctors, noting that the State is yet to record any severe After Effects Following Immunisation (AEFI).

          Ogunsola advised residents to continue to adhere to the non-pharmaceutical safety measures of wearing face masks, handwashing and social distancing, encouraging them to make personal hygiene a daily lifestyle practice, as it would not only prevent COVID-19 infection but also keep other diseases at bay.