The Nigerian Government says vaccination against Covid-19 is currently ongoing in all States of the Federation.
The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency in Nigeria, Dr Faisal Shu’aib said this in Abuja at the National joint Media briefing by the Presidential Steering Committee.
Collaboration
Dr Shu’aib said collaboration with health officials and other stakeholders at the National, State, LGA and community levels in the vaccination exercise has yielded substantial results.
According to him, ”as at April 26th 2021, 1,173, 869 Nigerians, representing 58.3 % of the eligible persons targeted in the current phase, have received their first dose of the Astrazeneca vaccine.”
Scarcity of Covid-19 vaccines
He, however noted that the Nigerian Government was aware of the global scarcity of Covid-19 vaccines due to high demand, especially in countries where the vaccines are being produced.
Also Read: Covid-19: Nigeria to receive 29.8m Johnson & Johnson vaccines
Dr Shu’aib said; “We, therefore, anticipate a delay in vaccine supply to Nigeria which may also affect and impact the remaining phases of the vaccination campaign. However, in response to the anticipated delay, the Nigerian Government has rationalised the vaccination exercise by preserving 50% of available doses of the vaccine for administration of the second dose.
“Each State of the Federation, including FCT, are currently administering only 50% of their allocated doses of vaccines. The remaining 50% will be administered to clients who had earlier received the first dose and this would be scheduled between 8 – 12 weeks from the date of their first dose. Data from this exercise are being uploaded and updated by States on the Electronic Management Platform.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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