The Executive Director /CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib , Tuesday, said the agency has provided first COVID-19 vaccine doses to 1, 929, 237 Nigerians.
He stated at a press conference held at the NPHCDA headquarters, Abuja, that the number represents 96% of the targeted population.
Dr. Shuaib said the agency has commenced the provision of second dose of the vaccine and the number of those vaccinated has reached 4, 683.
He said: “We are advising that all Nigerians who have received their first doses should check their vaccination cards for the date of their second dose, and ensure that they receive the second dose to gain full protection against COVID-19.
“As we transition to administering second doses, our teams have assessed the communication and mobilisation activities that have been undertaken thus far to create awareness for the COVID-19 vaccine and encourage uptake. We will be building on the work we’ve already done in these areas to ensure that Nigeria can easily access accurate information about COVID-19 vaccination.
“Our goal is to do everything possible to educate, combat misinformation, and ensure confidence in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines and to ensure all Nigerians have clear information on how, where, and when to get the vaccination. We will do this through continuous engagement and communication with communities’ across our country.”
While thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for providing all the needed resources and the Presidential Task Force Committee headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, for its guidance, Dr Shuaib appreciated those he described as partners and donors who he said provided technical support and resources .The partners were represented at the press briefing by World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF country representatives, Dr Walter Mulombo and Peter Hawkings.
On the availability of the vaccine, Dr. Faisal said the global community is facing great challenges and like most nations, it impacts the clarity over Nigeria’s next shipment.
He said: “While we have information that we may get the next consignment of vaccine by end of July or August, these have not been officially confirmed. When we are able to, we will provide an update regarding timelines and details of the next shipment. At present, we do not have that information available due to the wider context we are in.”
He said Pfzer and BioNTech last week pledged to provide 1 billion doses of their COVID-19 vaccine to low and middle income countries by the end of 2021 and another 1 billion doses in 2022. Also, Johnson and Johnson said it has signed a deal to provide 200 million doses of its vaccine to Covax.
Dr. Shuaib announced the date for the Zonal Town Hall meetings across the six geo political zones in Nigeria. He said the North east is scheduled for 8th of June in Yola, Adamawa, South south, 15th June, in Benin , Edo state, South west 22nd June, in Lagos, North west, 29th June, in Kano and South east, July 6th in Owerri, Imo state.
