COVID-19: FG targets 70% eligible population for vaccination

 

The federal government has said its target is to vaccinate at least 70 percent of Nigeria’s eligible population over a two year period.

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, stated this in Lafia Tuesday at a town hall meeting on COVID-19 vaccination in the North-central geo-political zone.

 It was organised by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, in collaboration with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Abuja.

He said the plan depends on vaccine availability, and government will ensure that eligible citizens have access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.

“Consequently, the Federal Ministry of Health and its agencies and departments are working with stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria benefits from the global supply of WHO approved COVID-19 vaccines.

“We must contribute to the desired 70% to be vaccinated, not just an act of individual self-protection but a civic duty to curtail the spread of the virus.

“Our mission here today is first to reassure traditional, faith and community leaders, that the vaccines Nigeria uses are tested as safe, and to urge leaders to recommend it to your families and communities as the best protection against the dreaded disease,” Osagie said.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation and chairman Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said the mortality rate as at 19  of April, 2021 stands at 2,061, while total confirmed cases 164,303, discharged cases 154,384.

On his part, Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuiab, said efforts are ongoing globally to ensure that vaccines are made available as required for attaining herd immunity worldwide.

He said despite intensive and extensive anti-vaccination campaigns, “I am pleased to inform you that as at this morning, April 20th, 2021, 1,110, 820 Nigerians, representing 55.2 % of the eligible persons targeted in this current phase, have received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.”

He added that the federal government was committed to ensuring vaccines are supplied to Nigeria for smooth continuation of the campaign.

Faisal called on everyone to actively participate in the town hall meeting as concerns, views and recommendations are critical to the success of the vaccination campaign.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state appealed to the federal government to further equip the already established diagnostic centre in the state with the state-of-art facilities in order to meet the global standard and reduce the rate of medical tourism for the diagnosis and treatment of viruses.

“The global pandemic of COVID-19 has exposed the state of healthcare centers at all levels, against this backdrop, Nasarawa government have resolved to continue to evolve measures that will strengthen the provision of its healthcare facilities at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

“I am happy to state that, part of our commitment in this direction is the completion of the Nasarawa state Infection Disease, Diagnosis and Research Centre.”

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