The Kwara State Government says it has put in place measures that would ensure that Kwara residents have equitable access to the Covid-19 vaccines.
Representing the State’s Governor in Ilorin at the flag-off ceremony of the Covid-19 second phase vaccination, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Raji Razaq stressed that “all hands must be on deck to ensure all indigenes know that the vaccine is safe.”
He urged people of Kwara and entire Nigerians to disregard any unfounded theories about the efficacy and effects of vaccine on them and guard against unnecessary sentiments.
According to him, the vaccines available in Kwara include Moderna, AstraZeneca, with a stern warning from the World Health Organisation against the mixing and matching of vaccines of different manufacturers.
Raji reiterated the state government commitment to raising awareness on healthy living among residents of Kwara.
He noted that Kwara State Government recognised the important roles healthcare system play in guaranteeing universal access to health services and improving the health outcome.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, KWSPHCDA, Dr Nusirat Elelu, said over 100,000 people from Kwara State were vaccinated in two doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine in the first phase.
She said about 102,900 Moderna vaccine is available for the second phase.
Elelu added that the state government has trained health personnel who would ensure effective coverage of the second phase vaccination in all the designated Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the 16 local government areas of the state.
The Representative, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mr Nuhu Hassan commended the state governor for his approach to healthcare delivery in the state.
The flag-off was witnessed by representatives of government officials, health agency, market women, educational institutions across the state, the organised labour, and other groups in the state.
Nneka Ukachukwu
