A Jos-based Virologist, Dr. Solomon Chollom, says Nigeria needs to be strategic in curtailing the spread of the dreaded Delta variant (B. 1. 617.2) and Alpha (B.1.1.7) of the SARS COV-2 virus in the country.

Chollom, also the spokesman of Plateau Inter-professional Health Committee on COVID-19 Response, made the observation in Abuja on Thursday.

According to him, it is clear that stakeholders need to brace up for the much dreaded third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, which is already making waves across the globe.

“This is in view of the major drivers of the reported third wave that seem to have found fertile ground in Nigeria.

“The third wave is largely driven by the Delta variant, vaccine hesitancy, poor vaccine coverage, and conspiracy theories.

“A critical look at these factors shows that they are already rife for the onslaught in the country.

“Already, the Delta variant is here with us and has been incriminated in recent cases. It has been branded along with others as a ‘Variant of Concern’.

“This is in view of its higher rate of transmissibility, more severe disease (e.g. increased hospitalization or deaths), a significant reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures.

“Variants in this category are B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and B.1.617.2, which is the Delta variant.”

Chollom noted that the uptake of the vaccine in the country was still very abysmal, taking into account those who have had the vaccines and those who have not.

“This poor vaccine coverage has been driven by lack of vaccines, hesitancy in vaccine uptake, and the preponderance of vaccine conspiracy theories.

“Interestingly, evidence across the globe have revealed that available vaccines have largely frustrated the rapid spread and severity of the Delta variant, as recently reported cases are seen in unvaccinated population or those who have taken one of the two-shot regimens.”

He stated that Nigeria received her first consignment of vaccines in March 2021 for frontline workers and other stakeholders.

However, there had been delays in receipt of subsequent consignments with fears growing by the day as to the continuous supply of these vaccines insufficient enough doses.

“The doses so far received and administered only cover a very small portion of the Nigerian population.

“Vaccine hesitancy on the other hand has been aggravated by conspiracies against it.

“These conspiracies have ranged from the alleged 5G technology theory, alleged birth control, and alleged monitoring chips, as manifested by magnetism among others.

“Unfortunately, these conspiracies hold no water when matched with the concrete evidence of scientific theories,” Chollom said.

According to him, to overcome the imminent third wave, which seems to have all in place for take-off, Nigeria needs to, immediate, rise to the challenge by reawakening all her response strategies to include active surveillance, contact tracing, community testing, isolation, and treatment of cases.

He noted that other measures include access to sufficient enough doses of vaccines, raise strategic awareness to crush vaccine uptake barriers and generate in-country vaccine safety and vaccine injury data.

The expert stated that there was the need to enforce all the non-pharmaceutical measures, especially face masking and handwashing at both personal and institutional levels.

“Interestingly, while the Delta variant is making the news for its impact, it is essential to emphasize that it falls in the intermediate-risk category when compared with the Alpha variant (B.1.1.7).

Virologist tells Nigerians to give COVID-19 vaccine a chance

“It has the highest risk and impact and has thus been branded ‘High Consequence Variant’.

“It is still lurking around and it comes with the ability to not only evade immune responses from vaccination or natural infections but also rubbish treatment formula and evade pinpoint diagnostic protocols.”

Chollom, however, noted that the platforms put in place to overcome the rampaging Delta Variant would also prove virile in preventing any onslaught by the more dreaded Alpha Variant.