Legal Issues Concerning Compulsory COVID-19 Vaccination: Nigeria as a Case Study
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
It is no news that COVID-19 has rendered severe havoc in the global environment. Although, various medical scientists and scholars were able to find a possible curtailment (Through vaccination) of the deadly COVID-19, however, there seems to be fear of the negative medical outcome of being vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, given several claims of the potential danger. Furthermore, it suffices to state that Nigeria has also had its fair share of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria, the Nigerian government sorts to make vaccination compulsory, despite the legal and medical rights of its citizens as enshrined in the constitution and judicial precedent. It is in this regard, that this study sort to adopt a hybrid method of study concerning the legal issues of compulsory vaccination in Nigeria. Concerning this, 310 questionnaires were sent to respondents residing in Nigeria. The study therefore found that there were incidences of COVID-19 in Nigeria and there are laws concerning the control of infectious disease in Nigeria. However, the study further found that it is a legal misnomer to compel an individual forcefully against his/her wishes to be vaccinated. Therefore, the study concludes and recommends that for effective vaccination against COVID-19, the Nigerian government needs to avoid forceful vaccination, but rather a wide sensitization concerning the vaccine's potency as against the negative claim concerning the COVID-19 vaccine.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
Adebowale, O. O., Adenubi, O. T., Adesokan H. K., Oloye, A. A., Bankole, N. O., Fadipe, O. E., (2021). SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19 Pandemic) in Nigeria: Multi-institutional survey of knowledge, practices and perception amongst undergraduate veterinary medical students, PLoSONE Vol. 16 No. 3, pp. 56-73: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248189
Adebowale-Tambe, N., ‘COVID-19: Nigerian government makes vaccination mandatory for civil servants’, https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/489749-just-in-covid-19-nigerian-govt-makes-vaccination-mandatory-for-civil-servants.html?tztc=1 accessed 3rd of June, 2023
Adekunle, A. I., Adegboye, O. A., Gayawan, E. and Mc Bryde, E. S., (2020). Is Nigeria really on top of Covid-19? Epidemiology and infection Vol. 48, pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268820001740
Aidonojie P. A. and Majekodunmi T A, Adeyemi-Balogun O J, (2023), The Legal Issues Concerning the Operation of Fin-Tech in Nigeria, Jurnal Media Hukum, 30(20): 78-79 https://doi.org/10.18196/jmh.v30i2.18337
Aidonojie P. A. and Majekodunmi T A, Adeyemi-Balogun O J, (2023), ‘Unethical and Uncensored Content Creation in Nigeria Entertainment Industry: Springing the Law to Action’ Jurnal Hukum Replik, 11(2): 173-202 http://dx.doi.org/10.31000/jhr.v11i2.8302
Aidonojie P. A. and O. I. Edetalehn, (2023), ‘A Facile Study of the Statutory Challenges Concerning Customary Practice of Intestate Succession in Nigeria’ Jurnal Hukum Replik, 11(1): 1-11 http://dx.doi.org/10.31000/jhr.v11i1.7552
Aidonojie, P. A. (2023). Environmental Hazard: The Legal Issues Concerning Environmental Justice in Nigeria, Journal of Human Rights, Culture and Legal System, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 17-32, https://doi.org/10.53955/jhcls.v3i1.60
Aidonojie, P. A. (2023). The Legal Impact and Relevance of using the Concept of Plea Bargain in Resolving Tax Dispute in Nigeria. Brawijaya Law Journal : Journal of Legal Studies, 9(2), 116-212, https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.blj.2022.009.02.06
Aidonojie, P. A., (2022). The Societal and Legal Missing Link in Protecting a Girl Child against abuse before and Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria, Jurnal Hukum UNISSULA, Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 61-80 http://dx.doi.org/10.26532/jh.v38i1.18412
Aidonojie, P. A., 2023. Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme a Panacea to Tax Evasion in Edo State, Nigeria. Administrative And Environmental Law Review, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 1-20, https://doi.org/10.25041/aelr.v4i1.2822
Aidonojie, P. A., Aidonojie, E. C., Edetalehn, O. I., Ikubanni, O. O., and Oyebade, A. A., (2022). A Facile Study concerning the Legal Issues and Challenges of Herbal Medicine in Nigeria, The Indonesian Journal of International Clinical Legal Education, Vol. 4, No. 4, https://doi.org/10.15294/ijicle.v4i4.61641
Aidonojie, P. A., and Francis, E. C., (2022). Legal Issues Concerning Food Poisoning in Nigeria: The need for Judicial and Statutory Response. Jurnal Media Hukum, Vol. 29, Nol. 1, pp. 65-78, https://doi.org/10.18196/jmh.v29i1.12595
Aidonojie, P. A., Idahosa, M. E., Agbale, O. P., and Oyedeji, A., (2022). ‘The Environmental Conservation, and Ethical Issues concerning Herbal Products in Nigeria’, Journal of Environmental Science and Economics, Vol. 1 No. 3, pp. 26-32 https://doi.org/10.56556/jescae.v1i3.124
Aidonojie, P. A., Imoisi, S. E., and Oaihimire, I. E., (2022). A Facile Study concerning the Prospect and Challenges of Conducting a Hybrid Method of Legal Research in Nigeria, Euromentor Journal, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 113-138
Aidonojie, P. A., Majekodunmi, T. A., Ikubanni, O. O. and Ibrahim, N., (2022). The causes of the Rising incidence of domestic violence in Nigeria: Proposing Judicial Separation as a Panacea, Jurnal Hukum UNISSULA, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 61-80, https://doi.org/10.26532/jh.v38i2.21592
Aidonojie, P. A., Nwazi, J. and Ugiomo E., (2023). Illegality of Income Tax Evasion in Edo State: Adopting an Automated Income Tax System as a Panacea. Jurnal Legalitas, Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 56-86 https://doi.org/10.33756/jelta.v16i1.19422
Aidonojie, P. A., Oaihimire, I. E. and Agbale, O. P., (2022). The Legal and Ethical Issues concerning Diagnosing and Treatment of Patients by Pharmacists in Nigeria. Euromentor Journal, Vol. 13 No. 2, pp. 113-138
Aidonojie, P. A., Odojor, A. O., and Agbale, O. P., (2021). The Legal Impact of Plea Bargain in Settlement of High Profile Financial Criminal Cases in Nigeria, Sriwijaya Law Review, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 161-174, https://doi.org/10.28946/slrev.Vol5.Iss2.852.pp161-174
Aidonojie, P. A., Okuonghae, N. and Ukhurebor, K. E., (2022). The Legal Rights and Challenges of COVID-19 Patients Accessing Private Healthcare in Nigeria, BESTUUR, Vol. 10, No. 2, 183-197, https://doi.org/10.20961/bestuur.v10i2.68118
Aidonojie, P.A., Abacha, W.S., & David, A. (2023). Effectiveness of the Administration of Justice in Nigeria under the Development of Digital Technologies. Journal of Digital Technologies and Law, 1(4), 1105-1131. https://doi.org/10.21202/jdtl.2023.48
Aidonojie, P.A., Ikubanni, O.O., and Oyebade, A.A., (2022). ‘Legality of EndSARS Protest: A Quest for Democracy in Nigeria’ Journal of Human Rights, Culture and Legal System, Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 209-224, https://doi.org/10.53955/jhcls.v2i3.40
Amantea, C., Rossi, M. F., Santoro, P. E., Beccia, F., Gualano, M. R., Borrelli, I., Costa, J. P., Daniele, A., Tumminello, A., and Boccia, S., (2022). Medical Liability of the Vaccinating Doctor: Comparing Policies in European Union Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, Vol. 19, p. 7191 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19127191
Ameh, C., Aduragbemi, B. T., Mobolanle, B., Makwe, C. C., and Afolabi, B. B, (2021). Reproductive Maternal and New-born Health Providers’ Assessment of Facility Preparedness and Its Determinants during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Lagos, Nigeria. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Vol. 104 No. 4, pp.1495-1506. 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1324
Ayo, S. A., Adeniyi, F. F., and Obabiyi, S. O., (2021). the spread of COVID-19 outbreak in the first 120 days: a comparison between Nigeria and seven other countries, BMC Public Health, Vol. 21, pp. 129-141, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-10149-x
Beccia, F., Amantea, C., Rossi, M.F., Daniele, A., Santoro, P.E., Borrelli, I., Marazza, M., Boccia, S., Ricciardi, W., and Moscato, U., (2021). Legal resposability of vaccinating doctor. G Ital. Med. Lav. Ergon. Vol. 43, pp. 93–98 https://europepmc.org/article/med/34370918
Beccia, F., Rossi, M. F., Amantea, C., and Villani, L., Alessandra, D., Antonio, T., Luna, A., Paolo, E. S.,, Ivan, B., Walter, R., Gualano, M. R., and Umberto, M., (2022). COVID-19 Vaccination and Medical Liability: An International Perspective in 18 Countries. Vaccines Vol. 10, p. 1275. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10081275
Cioffi, A., Rinaldi, R., (2020). COVID-19 and medical liability: A delicate balance. Med. Leg. J. Vol. 88, pp. 187–188 https://doi.org/10.1177/0025817220935879
Crum, T., Tiwari, B. R., and Mooney, K., (2021). Current situation of vaccine injury compensation program and a future perspective in light of COVID-19 and emerging viral diseases. F1000Res Vol. 10, p. 256 10.12688/f1000research.51160.2
Cucinotta, D., and Vanelli, M., (2020). WHO Declares COVID-19 a Pandemic. Acta Biomed. Vol. 91, pp. 157–160 10.23750/abm.v91i1.9397
D’errico, S., Zanon, M., Concato, M., Peruch, M., Scopetti, M., Frati, P., and Fineschi, V. (2021). “First Do No Harm”. No-Fault Compensation Program for COVID-19 Vaccines as Feasibility and Wisdom of a Policy Instrument to Mitigate Vaccine Hesitancy. Vaccines 2021, 9, p. 1116 https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9101116
Edetalehn O. I., and Aidonojie P. A., (2023). The Innovative concept and Issues Concerning the Non-Custodial Sentence in Nigerian Criminal Justice System. Journal of Law and Development; 8(2): 243–255 https://doi.org/10.58709/kiujhu.v8i2.1673
Feng, J., and LI, Q., (2021). How to ensure vaccine safety: An evaluation of China’s vaccine regulation system. Vaccine, Vol. 39, pp. 5285–5294 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.07.081
Goldberg, R., (2022). Vaccine Liability in the Light of COVID-19: A Defence of Risk-Benefit. Med. Law Rev., Vol. 30, pp. 243–267 https://doi.org/10.1093/medlaw/fwab053
Gostin, L. O., and Hodge, J.G., (2020). US emergency legal responses to novel coronavirus: Balancing public health and civil liberties. JAMA, Vol. 323 No. 12, pp. 1131–1132 https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.2025
Gunawan Y., Haque A. Y. I. & Aidonojie P. A. (2023). Police Brutality as Human Rights Violation: A Study Case of Black Lives Matter. Varia Justicia, 19(1), 19-32 https://doi.org/10.31603/variajusticia.v19i1.6588
Idahosa, M., Agbale, O., and Aidonojie, P., (2023). The Causes and Legal Implications concerning Assault against Healthcare Providers by Patients or their Relatives in Nigeria, KIU Journal Of Humanities, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 79-88. https://doi.org/10.58709/kiujhu.v7i4.1558.79-88
Ifijeh, M., Olawale, A., and Onyebuchi, E., (2021). Nigeria: Concerns Mount Over Treatment of Covid-19 Patients by Private Hospitals, This Day Newspaper on, the 16th April, 2021 https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/04/16/concerns-mount-over-treatment-of-covid-19-patients-by-private-hospitals
IIesanmi, O. S., and Fagbule, O. F., (2020). Realities of Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria:Coping with the Challenges and Charting a way forward, Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 78-84.
Imoisi S. E. and Aidonojie P. A., (2023). Legal and Socio-economic Issues Concerning Black Marketer's Activities of Petroleum Products in Nigeria. Yuridika, 38(2), 61-84, https://doi.org/10.20473/ydk.v38i2.44999
Luo, M., Guo, L., Yu, M., Jiang, W. and Wang, H., (2020). The psychological and mental impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on medical staff and general public—A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res. Vol. 291, pp. 113-150 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113190
Machingaidze, S., and Wiysonge, C. S., (2021). Understanding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Nat. Med. Vol. 27, pp. 1338–1339
Majekodunmi, T. A., Oluwaseun, J. A., Aidonojie, P. A., Ikubbanni, O. O., and Oyebade, A. A., (2022). Legal Issues in Combating the Scourge of Terrorism;Its Impact on International Trade and Investment: Nigeria as a Case Study, KIU Journal of Humanities, Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 129-139 https://doi.org/10.58709/kiujhu.v7i3.1530.129-139
Majekodunmi, T. A., Oluwaseun, J. A., Idahosa, M. E., Ikubbanni, O. O. and Aidonojie, P. A., (2022). The causes of the Rising incidence of Terrorism occasioning Deprivation of the Right to Life in Nigeria, KIU Journal of Humanities, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 5-19 https://doi.org/10.58709/kiujhu.v7i2.1498.129-138
Masnun, M.A., Sulistyowati, E., and Ronaboyd, I., (2021). Legal protection for the covid-19 vaccine and state responsibilities for fulfilling vaccines in creating a welfare state. Journal of Legal Studies, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 35–47
Muhammad, H. A. and Gunawan, W., (2021). Mandatory Coronavirus Disease-19 (Covid-19) Vaccination in Indonesia: Legal Aspect. Journal of Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Issues, Vol. 24 No. 50, pp. 23.38
Nisa, L., and Giger, R., (2012). Mandatory vaccinations: The international landscape. Canadian Medical Association Journal, Vol. 184 No. 3, pp. 143-156 10.1503/cmaj.109-3993
Nurkhadijah, H., Buana, A. P., & Pelupessy, P. (2023). Law Enforcement During the Implementation of Large-Scale Social Restrictions in The Covid-19 Era: A Legal Perspective. Golden Ratio of Law and Social Policy Review, 2(2), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.52970/grlspr.v2i2.227
Ogundokun, R. O., Adewale, F. L., Golam, B. M. K., Joseph, B., Aladeitan, B. B., (2020). Predictive modelling of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Nigeria. Elsevier, Vol. 8 No. 3, pp. 13-24 available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idm.2020.08.003
Ola, B. A., Eniyou, C. O., UduakOkomo, M. O. A., and Toyin, T., (2020). COVID-19 in Nigeria: Implications for Management of Related Co-morbidities, Prevalent Public Health Challenges, and Future Epidemic Preparedness. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 14, pp. 23-32 https://doi.org/10.57046/BWWL7233
Oladele, O. O., Aidonojie, P. A., Uzualu, J. E., Ikubanni, O. O. and Oyedeji, A. I., (2022). An Empirical Study of Criminalizing Minor Infractions of Tax Laws in Nigeria: The Need for Negotiated Punishments, KIU Journal of Humanities, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 23-35 ttps://doi.org/10.58709/kiujhu.v7i2.1481.157-168
Omaka-Amari et al (2020). Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic in Nigeria: Preventive and Control Challenges within the First Two Months of Outbreak, African Journal of Reproductive Health, Vol. 24 No. 2, pp. 45-52
Pastorino, R., Pezzullo, A. M., Villani, L., Causio, F. A., Axfors, C., Contopoulos-Ioannidis, D.G., Boccia, S., and Ioannidis, J.P.A., (2022). Change in age distribution of COVID-19 deaths with the introduction of COVID-19 vaccination. Environ. Res. Vol. 204, p. 112342 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.112342.
Raudenská, J., Steinerová, V., Jav ˚urková, A., Urits, I., Kaye, A.D., Viswanath, O., and Varrassi, G. (2020). Occupational burnout syndrome and post-traumatic stress among healthcare professionals during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Best Pract Res. Clin. Anaesthesiol. Vol. 34, pp. 553–560 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpa.2020.07.008
Waztl C., (2022). COVID-19 vaccines – common misperceptions, false claims and myths explained”, European Journal of Immunology, Vol. 52, No. 5, pp. 692-694, https://doi.org/10.1002/eji.202270055