Omicron: Over 3m J&J vaccine arrive in Nigeria

About 3,326,400 Johnson and Johnson vaccine doses purchased by the Mastercard Foundation and the Africa CDC through the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative have landed in Nigeria.

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The vaccines were allotted to Nigeria through the initiative have arrived at the international wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

UNICEF Nigeria received the vaccine, the agency would be responsible for the logistics and delivery to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) for cold storage and distribution to vaccination centres

Saving Lives and Livelihoods is focused on the purchase and delivery of more than 65 million vaccines for Africa.

The initiative aims to enable vaccination for millions of Nigerians, develop a workforce for vaccine manufacturing, and strengthen Africa CDC’s capacity to oversee a historic vaccination campaign and effectively respond to future outbreaks.

Launched in June 2021, Saving Lives and Livelihoodsis is a $1.5 billion partnership that aims to enable vaccination for millions of people, develop a workforce for vaccine manufacturing, and strengthen the Africa CDC’s capacity to oversee a historic vaccination campaign and effectively respond to future outbreaks.

President of the Mastercard Foundation, Reeta Roy, said: “Timely delivery of these vaccines underscores the effectiveness of the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust. Working with the Africa CDC and multiple organizations, the Mastercard Foundation will support the rollout of vaccinations to millions across the continent. More remains to be done to increase vaccination rates urgently.”

O.Okwuego/Guardian