Following the announcement of a major breakthrough by Pfizer and BioNTech on the development of a Covid-19 vaccine, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, has however expressed concerns that Nigeria may have to wait for a longer period to have access to the vaccine.
Checkout Magazine learnt that pharmaceutical giants announced that the Covid-19 vaccine developed can prevent more than 90 per cent of people from getting infected.
According to preliminary findings, the vaccine has been tested on 43,500 people in six countries, with no safety concerns raised. Two doses, three weeks apart, are needed and trials in the US, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and Turkey showed 90 per cent protection is achieved seven days after the second dose.
However, reacting to the development, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, yesterday described the development as a success for the world but worries that Nigerians might wait a little longer to have access to the vaccine since the federal government failed to make early financial commitments to the companies working on the various vaccines.
“There is a possibility that with this vaccine the country will be able to access it like any other country, however, our fear is that it will take time for Nigerian to be able to get the vaccine as you are aware that the American government has put down millions of dollars for the companies.
‘’All the companies that are producing vaccines would want to supply to those that put their money down to help them complete their work before selling to other countries.
“What is also worst is that the procurement especially in the area of this kind of infectious diseases is through donor funding. We are going to be waiting for those who put their money down.
