The Federal Government of Nigeria hinted that it might move to sanction anybody who refuses to take COVID-19 vaccines after they are made available to all Nigerians.
The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, made this known at a press briefing in Abuja.
Governor of Nigeria’s southern state of Edo, Godwin Obaseki last week had said any resident of the state, who refuse to take the vaccine, would be barred from public places and large gatherings.
In a similar development, the Government of Ondo State, on Monday said it would bar residents and citizens without proof of vaccination from churches, mosques and other public places.
The Nigerian Medical Association and the Joint Health Sector Union have faulted the move.
The health unions maintained that everyone has the right to reject vaccines the same way they can reject medical treatment.
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, barred the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki from enforcing compulsory COVID-19 Vaccination in the state.
Shuaib hinted that the Federal Government might toe the line of the two-state governments.
He said the Federal Government might “apply the basic rule of law” against such people because they would be endangering the lives of others.
He stated, “The Presidential Steering Committee and the Federal Ministry of Health are exploring ways of making vaccines more available to all Nigerians, including federal civil servants and corporate entities.
“Once these vaccines are made equitably available to all Nigerians, then we will need to have a frank discussion about justice, fairness and liberty that exist around vaccine hesitancy.
“If some individuals refuse to take the vaccine, hence endangering those who have or those who could not due to medical exemptions, then we have to apply the basic rule of law, which stipulates that your human right stops where mine begins.
“So, you have a right to refuse vaccines, but you do not have the right to endanger the health of others.”
