FG flags off phase 2 COVID-19 vaccination, appeals to Nigerians to vaccinate against pandemic

 

. Targets 70% to achieve health immunity

.Expects more vaccines next month

 

 

As part of its efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the Federal Government yesterday flagged of the phase 2 vaccination of the virus with the appeal to Nigerians to present themselves for vaccination against the pandemic that has led to loss of lives all over the world .

 

The vaccines lunched and flagged off were Moderna vaccine earlier donated by the United States of America and the recent Johnson and Johnson vaccine by African Union.

 

Speaking at the National Flag-Off of Phase 2 Vaccination in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha said the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to providing opportunity for the entire Nigerians to be vaccinated against the deadly COVID-19 in the country.

 

He recalled that government received 4 million doses of Moderna vaccines and 177.600 doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine recently, stating that the effort was to ensure that more Nigerians are vaccinated against COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The SGF called on Nigerians to make themselves available for the vaccination against the pandemic, while also warning against traveling  by air, land or water to countries where there is prevailance of covid-19.

 

On his part, the minister of health, Osagie Ehanire  said since the first case of COVID-19 was recorded in the country, government has been providing measures to save the lives of the people, urging Nigerians to go for the vaccination to curb the spread of the pandemic.

 

He said the country is targeting 70 percent of its populance vaccinated against the pandemic to achieve health immunity, while calling on Nigerians to continue to observe the COVID-19 protocol.

 

Delivering his speech at the occasion, the Executive Director, Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) Faisal Shuaib said the flag-off was necessitated by the need to create awareness on what the agency will be doing differently  to ensure a more successful vaccination campaign.

 

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the course of COVID-19 vaccination in the country, saying such effort was without limit to ensure that Nigerians are protected against COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The NPHCDA boss commended the health workers for the professionalism, dedication and resilience they have continued to show by staying on course to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to eligible persons.

 

He said : “It is important to also mention that without our dedicated and hardworking staff at NPHCDA, NCDC NOA, NTA, FRCN, FMOH the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, the Media, and the tremendous support of our development partners, the country could not have succeeded in fully utilizing the COVID-19 vaccines we received from COVAX facility for our first phase of vaccination.

 

“Although Nigeria is rated as one of the best performing in the vaccination response, we are not satisfied because we know we can be the best!

 

“We thank the Government of the United States for its magnanimity in donating 4,000,080 doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which we received in-country on August 1st, 2021.  This was followed last week with the arrival of 177,600 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine which is the first tranche of the almost 40 million doses the Federal Government has procured  from the Africa-Export-Import (AFREXIM) Bank through the African Union. The balance of the vaccine will be delivered over the coming months.  We sincerely appreciate the AFREXIM Bank President and his team for working tirelessly to ensure that the African countries are not short-changed in the access to the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines.

 

“Because the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is a one dose effective vaccine, the 177,600 doses will be focused on those who live in the hard-to-reach areas (riverine areas, desert areas, mountainous areas and security-compromised areas) and the elderly. This is because they are people who may find it difficult to leave their homes to the health facility for second dose vaccination.

 

“We will also be receiving today 698,880 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, a donation from the UK Government through the COVAX facility. These doses will be targeted at those that are due for their 2nd dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. In the next couple of weeks, we will be expecting up to 3.9million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines to complement what we already have and to ensure that we cover not only those who will be taking their 2nd AstraZeneca vaccine but also for those who will want to take their first dose of this vaccine.

 

“As a result of the leadership provided by the Presidential Steering Committee and the Federal Ministry of Health, NPHCDA in collaboration with our partners have mapped out the best strategies in targeting different segments of our populations because of the differences in vulnerability, age, and geographical constraints.

 

“In preparations for commencement of Phase 2 vaccination, we have trained 40,739 state level personnel comprising of our health workers and partners on our phase 2 strategic vaccine roll out plan in order to capacitate them for this roll out.

 

“We are fully aware that because Nigeria has started receiving different brands of COVID-19 vaccine, a lot of questions and concerns are being raised on what brand differences would mean to the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines. We are also aware that mischief makers are still around the corner to take advantage in crafting false information to mislead people on the vaccination. I want to assure Nigerians that all brands of COVID-19 vaccine used in Nigeria are certified by NAFDAC as safe and effective especially against the Delta variant.

 

“We believe that overcoming misinformation and disinformation will not only enable us overcome vaccine hesitancy but also facilitate recovery from economic downturn imposed by COVID-19 on the country. Our Crisis Communication Centre is therefore firmed up to deliver rapid data analysis for intensive public information management on COVID-19 vaccination in the country.

 

He commended those who have taken the vaccine and appreciated others who have supported the course of the COVID-19 vaccination in  the country, while. encouraging them to speak to their loved ones, friends, and colleagues to get vaccinated.

 

According to him:: “Because for us to stop this pandemic, we need a critical herd immunity that can only be approached when we reach at least 70% herd immunity.  it is the responsibility of all Nigerians to ensure they disseminate the right information to their loved ones and community members and advocate that people should take the vaccines so that we can continue to build our immunity and eventually return to our normal ways of living”.

 

He further urged Nigerians not to relent after vaccination,, but to continue to observe the non-pharmaceutical measures such as wearing of facemask, physical distancing, and hand hygiene as a way of  fighting the  pandemic.

 

Speaking also, the country representative of the World Health Organisation, Walter Kazadi commended Nigeria for the rapid response to COVID-19 pandemic, urging it to maintain the fit.

 

He said for Nigeria to be rated 4th globally for COVID-19 response, was because of its commitment to curb the spread of the pandemic in the country.

 

The WHO representative urged Nigerians to continue to maintain the COVID-19 protocol, while enjoining citizens that are above 18 years to go for the vaccination against the pandemic.