A young lady has alleged that COVID-19 vaccines are being sold to privileged Nigerians at a health centre in Ikate, Lagos state.
The lady identified as Uloma on Twitter, shared her experience after she visited the health centre in Ikate and found out that the COVID-19 vaccines provided by the Federal Government were been sold to people.
It would be recalled that of the first tranche of 3.92 million doses allocated to Nigeria, Lagos State received 507,742 doses of the vaccine in the early hours of Tuesday, March 9, 2021, and has commenced its first phase of distribution.
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The sales of vaccine allegation comes months after Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 declared that Nigerians will be vaccinated for free.
National Coordinator of Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19, Sani Aliyu back in December gave the assurance that Nigerians will be vaccinated without being charged.
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However, few days ago, a lady on Twitter alleged that the vaccines were been sold to people at a health center. Unfortunately, many Nigerians attacked her, saying her claims were false.
Another Twitter user, Uloma has now stated that people who attacked the lady for speaking up about the incident should be apologized to her.
Uloma stated that while at a health centre in Ikate, she observed that wealthy people were being sold the vaccines.
She tweeted;
I think the people who dragged that lady for saying that Nigerian health centres are selling the vaccines owe her a huge apology. I’m presently at a health centre in Ikate & people are coming in with their SUVs & having the vaccines sold to them before our very eyes. I AM PISSED!
I think the people who dragged that lady for saying that Nigerian health centres are selling the vaccines owe her a huge apology. I’m presently at a health centre in Ikate & people are coming in with their SUVs & having the vaccines sold to them before our very eyes. I AM PISSED!
— ULOMA (@ulxma) March 25, 2021
Meanwhile, another Twitter user, @mimi_onyekwere also confirmed that the vaccines where indeed sold to individuals.
Replying Uloma’s tweet, she wrote;
I can confirm this. The Matron gave us a silly speech about how they’ll prioritize old people and essential workers. Next thing, they’re selling the vaccines. Doctors and Nurses have been here since 6am and not one of them could get. Not ONE!
I can confirm this. The Matron gave us a silly speech about how they’ll prioritize old people and essential workers. Next thing, they’re selling the vaccines 😭. Doctors and Nurses have been here since 6am and not one of them could get. Not ONE! https://t.co/eQULI1GQ5j
— Mimi #ENDSARS #ENDSWAT #WEREYDEYDISGUISE (@Mimi_Onyekwere) March 25, 2021
Responding to the lady’s tweet, Uloma wrote; “I can’t believe we have to fight for vaccines. VACCINES! We are selling vaccines!”
Calling on Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control by tagging them in her follow up tweet, Uloma alleged that many people waiting to be vaccinated are being ignored while people of affluence walk in and getting vaccinated through the ‘backdoor’.
@jidesanwoolu @followlasg @NCDCgov can you explain why people have been sitting and waiting here at Ikate Primary Health Centre to be vaccinated and theg are being ignored while others are walking in and getting vaccinated through the backdoor?
— ULOMA (@ulxma) March 25, 2021
Giving an instance of the alleged situation, the Twitter user stated that a 96-year-old man at Ikate Health Centre who had been at the centre since 8 am was being ignored, despite being in the category of essential persons meant to receive the vaccine.
She then alleged that an ambulance drove out with vaccines and was driven at the Oba’s palace.
There is a 96 year old man here at Ikate Health Centre who’s been here since 8 am and even tho they said they’re prioritising essential workers and elderly people, this man is yet to get vaccinated. Meanwhile an ambulance drove out with vaccines and is now at the Oba’s palace.
— ULOMA (@ulxma) March 25, 2021
Giving an update shortly after, Uloma expressed the the aged man was eventually vaccination after many clamoured for him to be swiftly attended to by health workers.
He’s finally been vaccinated. We literally had to scream and dump him in their chair for him to get vaccinated.
— ULOMA (@ulxma) March 25, 2021
Speaking further, the Twitter user stated that she spoke with some health workers who also expressed frustration at the alleged situation.
Uloma alleged that the health workers also said they were also yet to receive the even gotten the vaccines themselves and that they are only obeying orders from above to distribute vaccines to “special individuals”, adding that it isn’t in their place to disobey those orders.
Just spoke to some health workers and they’re also frustrated. They said they haven’t even gotten the vaccines themselves and that they’re only obeying orders from above to distribute vaccines to “special” individuals and that it isn’t in their place to disobey those orders.
— ULOMA (@ulxma) March 25, 2021
Uloma later tweeted that she left the health centre out of frustration about the alleged situation, adding that she left the place with headache and a strained knee.
I’ve left. Given up. Didn’t get the vaccine. Don’t care anymore. I just want to make sure the truth is out there. I have a headache, a sprained knee, haven’t eaten and I’m worn out from this bullshit.
— ULOMA (@ulxma) March 25, 2021
Meanwhile, while unveiling the list of 88 accredited vaccination health facilities in Lagos state last week, health commissioner, Akin Abayomi explained that the vaccination process will be conducted in four phases.
Read Also: Breaking: Lagos Releases List Of 88 COVID-19 Vaccination Centres (Photos)
While phase 1 is for healthcare workers, COVID-19 response team, ports of entry staff (air, land, and seaports), laboratory network, judiciary, military, police, other security agencies, petrol station workers, teachers, press, and other frontline workers; phase two would be for people aged 50 years and above as well as those living with co-morbidities who are between 18-49 years of age.
Phase three is for people in the LGAs with the highest burden of disease and those who missed phases 1 and 2 and phase 4 for other eligible populations.
He added that it was compulsory for interested persons to register on designated websites before visiting any of the vaccination centres.
