Al-Shabaab rejects COVID-19 vaccines citing its ‘ineffective and unfavorable’ side effects
MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia-based Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab militants have dismissed the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was recently developed in the fight against the coronavirus, arguing that it is “harmful” and therefore cannot be used by its members as a preventative dose. .
Coronavirus has continued to wreak havoc around the world for a year now, leading to millions of deaths in addition to infecting millions of people across the globe. Although Africa is not so much affected, researchers have always raised questions about the ability to test.
In Somalia, the disease has killed hundreds, though experts say many may have died without medical knowledge, as not everyone is tested. The country received Covid-19 vaccines last week and a number of people have been vaccinated.
In a statement issued Tuesday by the militants, the groups insisted that the AstraZeneca vaccine was not up to standard, adding that “its damage far outweighs the alleged benefit”. This was the group’s first statement about the vaccine.
Al-Shabaab’s statement on AstraZeneca was issued by the Office of Politics and Wilaayaat, not by doctors and researchers. AS did not provide evidence that AstraZeneca is not beneficial; rather, it has referred to the short suspensions of the vaccine from some European countries.
It is also important to note that Somali health officials who have been vaccinated by thousands of the public have so far not reported any harm caused by AstraZeneca. Authorities are eager to get everyone vaccinated in the country.
Last year, the group’s political office had dismissed the virus, arguing that it was a creation of the West with the aim of punishing third-country countries. However, it did not provide evidence regarding the virus and did not issue precautionary measures against members.
AXADLETM
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