The federal government has said it intends to vaccinate 70% of the Nigerian population before the end of 2022, chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, has said.
He stated this during the COVID-19 summit 2021 in Abuja with the theme : “Pushing through the Last Mile to End the Pandemic and Build Back Better”.
He said: “We are now in the era of vaccines and non-pharmaceutical intervention measures.We need to encourage all eligible persons to get vaccinated and keep observing washing of hands, wearing of face masks, keeping physical distance and avoiding crowded areas.
“Nigeria has invested in vaccines that can cover over 70% of our population before the end of 2022.
“These vaccines are safe and efficacious. It is better and safer to be vaccinated against this virus, now.
“At the end, we are expected to have carried out the following: review of the country’s COVID-19 response from February 2020 to November 2021 to identify successes, gaps and lessons to be learnt, identify resources and develop strategies that will actualise the country’s expressed international commitments toward ending COVID-19 by 31st December, 2022,” he said.
He stated further that the others are development of an accountability framework for COVID-19 response and health security in Nigeria and synthesising the blueprint for Nigeria’s recovery from the pandemic.
Mustapha noted that the other expectations were articulation of actionable recommendations to President Muhammadu Buhari on the governance structure, resources and policies needed to end COVID-19 in Nigeria by December 31, 2022.
He said the recommendations would include how to rebuild the health system and the economy for better response to future threats.
On Nigeria’s COVID-19 response, the SGF said: “It has been driven by science, data and experience since then till date.
“The national response has been driven by a multi-sectoral process which facilitated expansive and in-depth consideration of issues as well as speedy decision-making,” he stated.
