Dr Gertrude speaks on Covid19 vaccines(3).
4 min read
Dr Gertrude (Gertie) Chimeka Anyanwoke is a well known medical scientist based in the United States. She is a researcher, administrator and more. In this interview, he spoke about Covid19 and its vaccines and more. Her interview is lengthy and therefore will run for 3 weeks.
Do you trust Nigerian government on the vaccine?
The agency in Nigeria that needs to approve the COVID-19 vaccine is NAFDAC. As at this time, I don’t have reason not to trust NAFDAC. The current Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye is a US trained professional who is passionate about her work. We have crossed paths. I have confidence in her leadership of the agency.
Many people say that what they are showing Nigerians on TV about the politicians in Nigeria who have taken the vaccine is false. Do you believe that Nigerian government officials can intentionally deceive the masses?
My brother, this question of them not actually taking the COVID-19 vaccine I cannot answer. I do not want to speculate. As for the question about the Nigerian Government officials possibly deceiving the masses, let me just say I understand where the skepticism is coming from.
Considering the fact that COVID-19 and the new emerging strains of the disease are still confusing to medical scientists, don’t you see a situation in future where the vaccine will lead to multiple deformities and deaths?
Actually NO. Vaccines have been around for more than 200 years.COVID-19 Vaccine is not the first vaccine ever. It is a newer technology that is used but the principle of getting the immune response is a similar process. I am more worried about COVID-19 virus infection itself as it has significant potential to cause persistent morbidity if not mortality.
Please tell us what the vaccine can protect people from and its limitations.
The current COVID-19 vaccines we have come with various degrees of efficacy. This means ability to prevent COVID-19 infection. In fact only recently, on March 29th, 2021, the American CDC published a GAME CHANGER report showing that both the Pfizer & Moderna COVID-19 vaccines were >90% effective in actually preventing COVID-19 infection in real population of frontline workers!!!! THIS IS AMAZING NEWS! Also, a few weeks ago, Israel published a similar study findings of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Previously, the clinical addressed the ability of preventing symptomatic infections as below: Pfizer-BioNTech 95% efficacy. Moderna 94.5% efficacy. Johnson & Johnson 66% (overall efficacy), 72% in the USA. AstraZeneca/Oxford University 76% efficacy (approved in U.K., Europe, pending approval in the US). Others have decent efficacies too. After 4-7 weeks of vaccination, ALL of the vaccines show 100 % protection against moderate to severe disease, hospitalization and death as a result of COVID-19 infection.
People are asking why is Mr Bill Gates promoting this vaccine more than anyone else, even more than medical doctors?
Truly, I am perplexed about where the story of Mr Bill Gates trying to depopulate Africa is coming from. Now, I don’t personally know him and have no organizational link with him. But, I feel bad for the way his name has been damaged by this whole COVID-19 vaccine thing. Earlier, I have talked about how the theory that there is microchip in the COVID-19 vaccine is not true. These people FALSELY believe that Bill Gates will use this medium to depopulate Africa. Again, NOT TRUE! Bill Gates with his billions of dollars have chosen Health in developing countries as where he wants to spend his money. According to the Gates Foundation “Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty.”
So what do you want people to understand here?
What people need to understand is that there are people who are against ANY vaccines, not only COVID-19 vaccine. They call themselves ANTIVAXXERS. They do not like the fact that Mr Bill Gates is an advocate for vaccines. I don’t have much else to add.
Have you taken the vaccine?
YES! I took the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020 when it was first approved in the US. Other members of my family and friends have also taken the COVID-19 vaccine.
Why?
As a medical practitioner and one that actually takes care of COVID-19 patients with some of them dying, I was overjoyed to have the opportunity to take the COVID-19 vaccination to protect me, my family, my patients, my colleagues and my community. I am really grateful to modern medicine.
Does taking the vaccine mean an end to mask wearing?
Hopefully, it will eventually mean an end to most of the COVID-19 mitigation measures including mask wearing. Once we have majority of the people in the community that have taken the vaccine, then there will be lesser chances for transmission of the virus. I believe these mitigation measures will be relaxed once we achieve herd immunity.
Finally what is your advice to Nigerians about the COVID-19 vaccine?
My advice to Nigerians about the COVID-19 vaccine is to be vigilant. People should get their information about COVID-19 from reliable and credible sources like NCDC, WHO and other reputable Health Authorities. Bad information about COVID-19 can lead to bad outcome. Beware of people trying to scam you with fake COVID-19 vaccines. Taking the COVID-19 vaccine should be a PERSONAL CHOICE.
If you decide to take the COVID-19 vaccine, go to trusted places to get the vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine should be FREE. The world governments are all giving it to their people for FREE!!! Nigeria is not alone and should not charge for the vaccines.
Thank you very much Dr for your wonderful and well researched answers
Thank you also.
Concluded.
