Health
By Benprince Ezeh
BOSS Mustapha, chairman, Presidential Steering Committee, PSC, on Covid-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation has said that Nigeria is far from achieving the national target of vaccinating 70% of the eligible target population to move the country towards attaining herd immunity by 2022.
Mustapha said this at the national flag-off of Covid-19 Mass Vaccination Campaign, aimed at ramping up coverage to at least 50% of the eligible target population by January 31, 2022, today, November 19 in Abuja.
He said: “In spite of these unparalleled levels of commitments and the achievement recorded in the first and second phases of Covid-19 vaccination campaign, this realization of the low level of vaccination and developments around the world have combined to drive the adoption of the Covid-19 Mass Vaccination Campaign strategy that would ramp up Covid-19 numbers around the country.
“It is important to mention that through this Mass Vaccination Campaign initiative arrangements have been made to ease all known bottlenecks to access, because National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, has expanded vaccination sites. These sites include (i) public health facilities, (ii) private health facilities, (iii) mobile vaccination posts and (iv) mass vaccination sites such as-: Schools, Markets, shopping malls, Recreation centres, Motor parks, worship houses, and other public places that attract high human traffic.
“Nigerians are assured that the NPHCDA has also taken stringent measures to prevent any compromise of the process along the value chain. This vaccination is free because government remains conscious of its responsibility to safeguard the health of our people,” he said.
According to him, Vaccine Mandate Policy has become a global phenomenon and Nigeria is not an exception.
“Let me at this juncture, remind Nigerians that the Vaccine Mandate Policy has become a global phenomenon and Nigeria is not an exception. All Federal Government Employees are therefore reminded that December 1, 2021, remains the deadline for all to show evidence of being vaccinated or a PCR Negative Test Result, done 72 hours before being allowed into their offices.
“I urge all public servants that are yet to be vaccinated to take advantage of this mass vaccination to receive their vaccines in order to protect themselves and their loved ones. Remember, no one is protected until we are all protected,” Mustapha said.
The SGF, however, commended governors, Federal Ministry of Health, FMOH, NPHCDA, development partners, and other stakeholders, for providing leadership, oversight, and committing to drive this initiative that will ensure that all eligible Nigerians are vaccinated within the shortest possible time.
“All stakeholders, are mandated to mobilize community members, aged 18 and above, especially the elderly to get vaccinated against Covid-19,” he said.
Tags: Benprince Ezeh Boss Mustapha Covid-19
