About 46 million Nigerians have received the Covid-19 vaccines as the country continues to ensure that citizens are protected from the coronavirus.
The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib stated this while briefing State House correspondents after Thursday’s virtual meeting of the National Economic Council presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Shuaib, who made a presentation of his agency to the NEC meeting, said the figure represented 42percent of eligible Nigerians.
He said the recorded vaccination figures were in line with what the Presidential Steering Committee and the Federal Ministry of Health have been tracking in terms of targets.
“We have also recognised an increase in the number of people who are getting vaccinated.
“A few months ago, by the average daily vaccination rate was about 200, 000 people per day, but now we are vaccinating over 350, 000 Nigerians per day.
“This is commendable; it is worth mentioning as well that the Federal Government has adequate numbers of Covid-19 vaccinations to cover all Nigerians.
“So, there is the need for more Nigerians to come out en masse to take the vaccinations.”
Polio eradication
Dr. Shuaib pointed out that since August 2016 Nigeria had the last case of the wild poliovirus in Nigeria.
“So, this means that as we celebrate world polio virus day by next week Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari has fulfilled his promise that he will not hand over a Nigeria that has children with these viruses.
“Then, we have seen in the last 24 months, an increase in the reported cases circulating variant polioviruses but thanks to the incredible work of states working with our partners under the leadership of the president, we recorded a decrease in the numbers of circulating polioviruses from 806 cases around this time last year.
“We now have reported 133 cases in 2022 given the same period, and then the number of local government areas that are reporting circulating variant polioviruses have also decreased from 186 to just 48 local government areas.”
He said the agency has also recorded significant improvement in the success rate with more Nigerians coming forth with their children and getting vaccinated.
“Then, in terms of routine immunisation, we have seen massive improvements in routine immunisation.
“Nigeria is only one of five countries globally where the pandemic did not negatively impact routine immunisation coverage.
He attributed the achievement to the leadership seen at the national and sub-national levels as well as the hard work of frontline health workers.
Dominica Nwabufo
