Health
PRESIDENT Muhammad Buhari has Nigerians and ECOWAS for their efforts towards the fight against the virus.
Speaking after receiving the first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Saturday in Abuja, Buhari said: “The response in Nigeria and the ECOWAS sub-region has been robust, collaborative and united. It was driven by a collective knowledge of the fact that ‘no country is safe until every country is safe’.
“The speedy development of the COVID-19 vaccines is quite significant and underscores the collective resolve of humanity to overcome the pandemic. Similarly, the collaborative effort to ensure equal access has brought relief to poor and developing countries.”
According to him, Nigeria has received the long awaited AstraZeneca vaccine, and consequent doses will arrive in batches.
“I have been assured by the Presidential Task Force that the AstraZeneca vaccine which Nigeria has accessed, will arrive in batches beginning with the first batch of about four million doses already received. I am similarly aware of the roll out and administration plan to cater for over 70 percent of our population between year 2021 and 2022,” he said.
He said that taking the vaccine was a sign of faith in the AstraZeneca vaccine and urged Nigerians to present themselves accordingly for vaccination.
“Yesterday (Friday), our frontline medical personnel, top on the priority list, were vaccinated. Today (Saturday), as a demonstration of leadership and faith in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, I have received my first jab and I wish to commend it to all eligible Nigerians, to do same so that we can be protected from the virus.
“I urge all state governments, traditional and religious leaders, to take the lead in the mobilization effort within their environment and spheres of influence. The vaccine offers hope for a safe country, free of Coronavirus.
“I similarly urge all eligible Nigerians to present themselves and be vaccinated in accordance with the order of priority already mapped out, at the various authorized designated centres only,'” he said.
Buhari congratulated the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on the successful multi-sectoral approach to the management of this pandemic, and acknowledged the support of governments, donors, development partners, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders as well as critical stakeholders, who have supported Nigeria thus far, while assuring Nigerians that the resources will be equitably administered.
Realnews gathered that the Covid-19 pandemic, which began in December 2019 has so far claimed 2,595,640 lives with 116,900,768 million infections globally.
– Mar. 8, 2021 @ 09:47 GMT |
Tags: Buhari assures equitable distribution of AstreZeneca vaccine
