The Federal Government has come out to raise alarm over reported racketeering of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines in some of the designated vaccination centres.

Mr Abdullazzi Abdullahi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, recently revealed this at the joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

According to him, any racketeering is not necessary as vaccination has been scheduled in phases such that frontline health workers and those at higher risk of the COVID-19 infection are to be vaccinated first, after registration at the portal.

He added that vaccination is for free and everyone will eventually be vaccinated, so things do not have to be dramatic.

His words, “We have received reports of racketeering in some of the designated vaccination centres.”

“This is not necessary. Vaccination has been scheduled in phases such that frontline health workers and those at higher risk of the infection are vaccinated first after registration at the portal.”

“Everyone will be vaccinated free and everyone will eventually be vaccinated. There is no need to pay to be vaccinated.”

“The outcome of the meeting was a reassurance of the safety and efficacy of the vaccine against COVID-19.”

“We have not yet recorded unusual side effects among those who have received the vaccine which include myself.”

“NAFDAC is monitoring the process as part of a global tracking of adverse effects of the vaccine.”

“Anyone who has received the vaccine and is experiencing any adverse reaction, should please report to NAFDAC using the Med Safety App on your phone or report at the centre where you received the vaccination.”