TheCable

Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, has told residents of his state that although the COVID-19 vaccine is safe, it is not compulsory.

Fintiri spoke on Thursday after taking the COVID-19 shot at the Yola Specialist Hospital.

The governor said willing residents of the state will be vaccinated in batches.

“We have taken it, and it is safe and we are encouraging our citizens to go ahead and take the vaccine, but it is not compulsory,” he said.

“We are only encouraging them to take because that is the only way out to keep their health and that of their families safe.

“Government has a plan and intention to vaccinate everybody and it will be in batches.”

He said the state government has received about 59,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and that vaccination has commenced in parts of the state.

Fintiri said the state is expecting more vaccine doses and they will be administered to the people immediately.

Also speaking, Gambo Jika, chairman, Adamawa Muslims Council, said: “It is very important to take the vaccine for our own health, and once we take it, we will be free from COVID-19 Insha – Allahu.

“So, I am calling on all Muslims and people of the state to come out and take the vaccine, because, according to expert reports, the vaccine is safe.”