The Nigerian Government says the launch of the Vaccination site in the country is a great milestone in the National Response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Nigeria and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha stated this in Abuja, the nation’s capital at the launch of the National COVID-19 Vaccination in Nigeria.
He disclosed that the ceremony was the beginning of a well-detailed vaccination plan that will reach every eligible Nigerian at the appropriate time over the year 2021 and 2022.
“We hope to have covered over 70% of Nigerians and achieve immunity. The vaccines will be arriving in batches and I urge all Nigerians to be patient with relevant Agencies of the Federal Government and Sub-national entities managing the deployment process. This is a novel rollout, just like the virus,“ he said.
The Executive Secretary, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shu’aib administered the first Vaccine to Dr Cyprian Ngong, who has been at an isolation centre since February 2020 when the coronavirus was first detected in Nigeria.
The vaccine administration came following the launch of the site by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
He said the event was to symbolise what the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in the country has been preaching for weeks.
“NAFDAC has not only analysed but certified the Oxford AstraZeneca Vaccines for use in Nigeria,“ he assured the citizens.
The World Health Organisation WHO, Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, commended the Nigerian Government for setting an exemplary leadership.
According to him, getting the Vaccines was a collaboration between the Nigerian Government, UNICEF, WHO and GAVI.
“Nigeria is among the first countries to impose the courageous social health measures,“ Dr Mulombo stated.
The Minister of Health in Nigeria, Dr Osagie Ehanire called on all sectors to key into the COVID-19 Home Grown Strategy for a peaceful and orderly Campaign across the country.
The Minister, however, noted that Nigerians are not yet out of the woods, hence the need to comply with all non-pharmaceutical interventions put in place by medical experts.
“Even if you have been vaccinated, the measures reiterated over the month must be adhered to,“ He emphasised.
It would be recalled that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Nigeria last Tuesday, March 2, 2021,
PIAK
