COVID-19: Nigeria vaccinates over 18m so far

On Jun 1, 2022

The federal government of Nigeria said that, a total of 18,291,072, representing 16.4 per cent eligible population, have so far been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, said the flag-off of COVID-19 vaccination at community pharmacies in Abuja.

The government said 30,327,550 persons, representing 23.9 per cent have been vaccinated with first dose, 14,629,451 persons with their second dose, while 1,229,909 persons have received their booster doses, respectively.

“As of today, we have vaccinated 30,327,550 persons with the 1st dose, this represents 23.9 per cent of our eligible population while 14,629,451 persons have received their 2nd dose and 18,291,072 have been fully vaccinated which represents 16.4 per cent of our eligible population.

“1,229,909 persons have received their booster doses,” he said.

The flag-off signalled the commencement of collaboration between the government and Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, APCN, in expanding COVID-19 vaccination to the grassroots level.

Dr Shuaib explained that the collaboration became necessary given that the community pharmacies are one of the most easily accessible and frequently consulted points of care for health care service delivery by the public sector especially in underserved population due to their interconnectedness with the communities.

He said, “Indeed, this collaboration is a step in the right direction as it is in furtherance of our determination to expand access to COVID-19 vaccination and other immunization services across the country.

“I believe this is an unprecedented and novel initiative that we have embarked on as a country to strengthen our health security architecture.”

NAN