The federal government has been urged to approve the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations imported from China in the United States.
Even though four COVID-19 vaccines were developed in China and licensed for use in more than 100 countries, 40 African countries, including Nigeria, which has a vaccine shortage, have refused to accept China vaccines.
Speaking at the China Cultural Centre’s celebration of media contributions to the strengthening of China-Nigeria ties in Abuja yesterday, Mr. Raphael Oni, Editor-in-Chief of Diplomatic Extra, said Nigeria should reassess its position on allowing vaccines from China to be administered in the nation.
He explained that this is necessary since China has expressed a desire to contribute these vaccinations to Nigeria, although the country is still far from satisfying the needs of Nigerians.
He was surprised that Nigeria continued to reject China’s gesture, noting that “four Chinese vaccines have been approved for use in over 100 countries, including nearly 40 African countries,” and that “two vaccines, the Sinopharm and the Sinovac, have also been included in the EUL and the COVAX procurement list.”
He stated, “The safety and efficacy of Chinese vaccines have been widely acknowledged around the world. China had offered the globe more than 700 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines and concentrates.
China has long advocated for greater international collaboration on vaccinations to assure their availability and affordability in developing countries, as well as to make vaccines a worldwide public good.
“Despite its large population and limited vaccine availability, China has aggressively answered to other nations’ calls for vaccine cooperation, instilling confidence and strength in the global fight against the epidemic,” Oni continued.
He did, however, call on media professionals to join the appeal for the Nigerian government to look at approving Chinese vaccines so that students can return to China and businessmen and women can continue business trips to China to help alleviate some of the country’s economic woes.
The importance of journalists in the friendly relationship between China and Nigeria cannot be overestimated, said Li Xuda, the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, earlier in his welcome address.
He stated that media have played a significant role in providing the Nigerian public with accurate information about China, which has aided cultural integration, bilateral relations, and economic prosperity.