By Joyce Babayeju
Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of the National Food And Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has insisted that no Covid-19 vaccine will be used in Nigeria until it is approved for use by her agency.
Adeyeye spoke today on AIT breakfast programme KAKAAKI
The NAFDAC DG insisted that it was part of its statutory responsibility to ensure that any drug administered on Nigerians is properly vetted by NAFDAC to ensure safety and efficacy.
She noted that every vaccine normally carries an indemnification clause, which means that the manufactural cannot be sued or held responsible in case of adverse effect.
She said that since the producer has been absolved of liability it means the Nigerian government would be held responsible noting that the Nigerian government has already signed the document to undertake this responsibility.
Allaying fears that the position of the agency may delay the administration of vaccines which has been procured by the federal government she noted that this is not a problem because it would only take about a week for NAFDAC from certifying the vaccine for use. according to her “it will take about a week as we try to expedite it not necessarily spinning a new wheel”
Speaking on the development of local vaccine for Covid-19 she noted that none has yet been developed locally but some drugs has been approved by NAFDAC for use in the management of the disease. Prof Adeyeye stated that NAFDAC “monitor side effect and ensure that what is used to treat the patent is right there in case of adverse reaction”
Prof Adeyeye also used the opportunity to denounce the prevailing conspiracy theories on social media noting that the science behind vaccine production does not support conspiracy theories, “taking Covid-19 vaccine will not change your DNA” she said noting that most of the conspiracy theories are the work on anti vaccine groups and should be disregarded as they are false and inaccurate and that NAFDAC would do everything possible to protect Nigerians.
