The Benue state government Thursday flagged off the COVID- 19 vaccination at the Benue state University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi.
Governor Samuel Ortom in his address at the occasion said vaccination with safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines was a critical part of Nigeria’s strategy to interrupt the COVID-19 pandemic and curb transmission of the virus.
Represented by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services he called on Benue people to voluntarily present themselves for COVID-l9 vaccination and be available to take the second dose in twelve weeks time.
He urged the people to also continue to observe COVID-19 prevention protocols including frequent hand washing, use of alcohol based hand sanitizer, maintenance of physical distance and use of face masks.
He said Benue state government was passionate about the health of citizens and would continue to give counterpart funding for all activities aimed at attaining the Universal Health Coverage through Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR) strategy.He stated further that in line with his commitment, the state Health Insurance Scheme will be operational in quarter two of 2021 for free medical treatment for vulnerable and less privileged across 277 wards through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
“In the same way, the permanent office complex for the Benue state Primary Health Care Board has been completed to provide conducive environment for smooth operations of Benue state primary health care board to achieve her mandate of coordination of PHC in the state for the attainment of Universal Health coverage,” he said.
Earlier the World Health Organisation (WHO) representative, Dr. O. Popoola, said the vaccine was 95 ℅ effective and safe.
He noted that out of the eight thousand people that have so far received the vaccine in Nigeria, none have shown any seriously adverse reaction, adding that only mild reactions have been experienced in some persons.
Popoola stated that Benue state has in custody 73,180 doses of the Astrazeneca vaccine which is expected to be administered to people.
The deputy governor of Benue state who is also chairman of the COVID- 19 action committee had expressed reservations over the efficiency of the vaccine.
