2.9 million out of 200 million Nigerians fully vaccinated against COVID-19: NPHCDA

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has disclosed that 2,897,201 eligible persons had taken the jab across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

NPHCDA executive director Faisal Shuaib announced this on Tuesday, in Abuja, at the National Vaccines briefing.

Only 2,897,201 million out of 200 million people in Nigeria have received their complete dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of August 30, 2021, a far cry from the federal government’s goal of inoculating 70 per cent of its citizens by the end of 2022.

According to Mr Shuaib, the country, which now has three COVID-19 vaccines approved for emergency use by the World Health Organisation (WHO), commenced its phase two vaccination in 35 states and the FCT.

“For clients who have not had any vaccination, the Moderna vaccine is available and is being administered in all designated health facilities in the country, while those who have had their first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine are encouraged to visit their designated health facility to get their second dose,” he said.

The NPHCDA boss disclosed that the UK government had donated an additional 592,880 doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine. It was received on August 26, 2021, through the COVAX Facility.

“I, therefore, use this opportunity to call on once again those who received the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine before July 8, 2021, to go and get their second dose, to be fully protected against all strains of the coronavirus,” he added.

He called on governors to continue to provide leadership in mobilising citizens to prioritise the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“We are particularly enthused by the example of the Governor of Edo, Godwin Obaseki, as he mobilised churches and religious leaders towards mass acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine,” said the NPHCDA boss.

Credit: PG