The AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine has been in use in at least 115 countries against Covid-19, some of them for several months now. However, in the past month, a few cases of a rare blood-clotting disorder — some fatal — was associated with its use, making a number of countries to suspend it.
But several of those countries are well stocked with alternate vaccines. In the Gambia though, both the 51, 000 available doses and 900, 000 expected in May this year, are AstraZeneca. The country is expected to vaccinate about 20% of the population. But fears of the vaccine, it appears, may hinder the country’s progress on this path.

 

Gambia’s Director of Health Services, Dr Mustapha Bittaye, expresses concern that publicity surrounding the rare vaccine-related reactions could fuel hesitancy.
“…Generally, hesitancy for vaccines in the Gambia is very high. From the beginning, some of the people don’t trust the vaccine…,” said Dr Bittaye.

“I used to go to the programmes in the media and people will ask if this (vaccine) may e a conspiracy to get us be vaccinated with implants that they will be able to remote-control us. At this time there was no vaccine yet. The new complications (relating to blood clot) did not help matters.”

Though expert opinion worldwide is that the vaccine’s benefits far outweigh the risks, a recent survey done my Afrobarometer, a pan-African research network, has shown that Gambians believe that prayers are more effective than vaccines.

 

As of April 13, thirty-three days after the vaccination has been rolled out, only about 18, 428 people have been vaccinated. But what has been the experiences of those who took their first jabs. Malagen follows some prominent people who have taken it and below is their testimonies:
Dr Kebba S. Marenah, Orthopaedic surgeon.

I have had the vaccine… and my overall experience was good. I had a little discomfort at the injection site but that was expected. I took some ibuprofen a few hours afterwards “just in case” but I had no other symptoms. Many of my colleagues have been positive for COVID and a few were actually unwell and needed admission. This vaccine makes all of us feel little bit more comfortable/safe because many around us aren’t taking precautions.
I had no fears taking the vaccine having evaluated the evidence. At the time there were reportedly under 40 blood clots in over 20 million people who were vaccinated. That to me is very low risk. There is no vaccine without any risk but the benefits far outweigh the risks. I think the AstraZeneca is safe to use/give and moreover it is the best one available for our setting.

 

Babucarr Manka, journalist and filmmaker,

I have taken the AstraZeneca vaccine when the media was invited to witness the President getting vaccinated. I got my jab which was quite fast and painless but the next morning I woke up feeling sick. I had a runny stomach, fever and muscle pain but it all disappeared before 24hrs after injection. Since then, I have been totally fine.

 

Kaddy Jawo, journalist

 

Well, I took the AstraZeneca jab end of last month (March) but since then I didn’t have any side effect as others. I would say my experience was great as I did not experience any symptoms of such.

I had fears before taking the vaccines and even few days after taking it. People were randomly sending me news reports of those who have died due to blood clot after taking the vaccine.

I think it is safe to take the vaccine. I would recommend people to take the vaccine.

 

Amadou Camara, Politician

I have not experienced any adverse effects after taking the AstraZeneca vaccine. I have no fear of death as a result of the vaccine because I believe it’s very safe.  Both the Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation said AstraZeneca vaccine is very safe.

Dr Abubacarr Jagne, a physician and kidney specialist leading the case management team fighting to contain COVD-19,

I took the vaccine the day it was launched, together with the President. That day I did not have any symptoms. The second day in the evening, before I took bath after closing from work, I felt a bit warmth. But in the morning, it was gone. And since then I have been fine…
A lot of our team members have taken the vaccine… However, a day or two after taking the vaccine, most of the people complained of general body pain and fever. But there were no major incidents. We had only one lady who felt itching and swelling of the lips but she was given some medications. And that is all. Others were complaints that were investigated but came out to be unrelated to the vaccine. There are two cases that I followed up myself but they were not related to the vaccine…
…So far, we have not gotten any major issues that we could point to and say it was caused by the vaccine.

Dr Mustapha Bittaye, a doctor, and Director of Health Services

I took the jab on March 10 in the morning. I continued to work and also attended a television show at 8 p.m… I did not have side effects. I just had pains at the injection site.
So far, we have not confirmed any case where somebody died after taking the vaccine and his death has been caused by it. But they (vaccination team) have registered a lot of people who have small side effects like headache, bitterness in the mouth, among others.
The story about people having blood clot contributed to scaring people but generally hesitancy for vaccines in the Gambia is very high. The new complications (relating to blood clot) did not help matters.

Ousainou Darboe, a politician

I  took the AstraZeneca vaccine about 3 weeks ago. I am due on the 24th of May to have the second dose. And contrary to fears that I had entertained that there would be reactions, I suffered no reactions, though I felt a little bit feverish…
I believe that every Gambian should get vaccinated because, even though it may not protect us against COVID-19, but it helps build our resistance to the virus.
I think all religious, political and community leaders should be advocates of this crusade (vaccination) so that the citizens will avail themselves the opportunity to take the vaccinations. My deputy party leader (of United Democratic Party) Aji Yam Secka took the vaccinations.
Deputy speaker of the National Assembly also took the vaccination, Mr Kemesseng Jammeh also did. My wives also did. And none of us has any negative reactions at all. It is necessary that we do this (vaccination) so that the containment of the virus can be achieved.

 

Omar Wally, journalist

I have a good experience with the vaccine… It was only after five hours after injection that I felt some pain when I try to raise my left hand up. But after sometimes that also stops.

Essa Darboe, Islamic Scholar and President of the Supreme Islamic Council

I took the AstraZeneca vaccine (on March 10)… I have experienced no symptoms. I also have seen no side effects. I did not have fears before taking it because we were assured by medical doctors that it is safe to use. And those doctors, ministers, diplomats and the President were all vaccinated. I have no doubt that the vaccine is safe to use.

 

Musa Bah, writer and principal at Mbullum Ahmadiyya Muslim Senior Secondary School

I have taken the AstraZeneca vaccine. It was fine. I didn’t feel a thing… I have not seen any symptoms as yet.
I have been following the news about the vaccine closely and know that the connection between the vaccine and the blood clot is very rare. I have no fears about it.
As far as I am concerned, the vaccine is safe and that Gambians should take it to save their lives. Coronavirus is a bad disease and people should do anything to avoid getting infected. At the same time, people should take all precautions.

 

Seedy K. Touray, CEO of Lower River Region Area Council

I took the vaccination at the governor’s office about 3 weeks ago… I just felt some pain in my right arm, at the injection site. I also had a slight headache. After taking the vaccination, I continued with my work without any major problem.

Sidat Jobe, former Gambian diplomat

I have taken my first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccine at the RVTH and I am taking my second dose on the 7th June. The experience was quite okay… I have not seen any symptoms whatsoever.
I had no fear when I was taking it. I heard them saying a lot of things about blood clots but I wasn’t worried about that.
My wife, children and sisters have all taken the vaccine and they are all quite okay. For the people who have taken it and feel any pain or complication I will recommend them to see a doctor very quickly. That’s all.

Note: Authorities familiar with the vaccination process have told Malagen the former Inspector General of Police did not take the jabs prior to his death. It was rumoured his death may have been related to the vaccine.