The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) explained that Nigerians who have received their covid vaccinations and still experience a “breakthrough infection” will only experience milder symptoms compared to those who were unvaccinated.
This was disclosed by the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib, to newsmen on Tuesday, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.
What the NPHCDA said about “breakthrough infections”
“If a person gets infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus 14 days after the second shot of the vaccine, it is called a ‘breakthrough infection.’ The two-week window is the time it takes for the body to produce necessary antibodies following a shot of the vaccine.
“A ‘breakthrough infection’ refers to the virus being able to penetrate the protective barrier of antibodies.
“The observation is that in these individuals, the disease is usually milder than those who were unvaccinated. Vaccination prevents one from severe disease, hospitalization and death,” Dr Shuaib said.
He added that if our communities continue to remain unvaccinated, we will keep endangering our communities, especially those who are vulnerable, citing that the possibility of a breakthrough infection is low, and it would be significantly lower if more people are vaccinated.
“Your individual risk for COVID-19 after vaccination also depends on the individual, your overall health, the precautions you take and how often you are exposed to unvaccinated people who could be infected,” he said.
On Nigeria being placed on the “Amber” list of countries by the UK, he said:
“Nigeria alongside countries like France and the Netherlands are listed as amber countries by the UK Government based on criteria such as the number of populations immunized and incidence rates of COVID-19 infection.
“Individuals from Countries listed as amber countries are required by the UK Government to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and be quarantined for a few days.”
He revealed that the FG is inundated with questions about why the UK insists Nigerians who have been fully vaccinated are still required to isolate upon arrival in the UK.
The NPHCDA also reported that over 1 million Nigerians have received their first shot of the Moderna vaccine as of 7th September 2021.
