COVID-19: Nigeria to receive 3.92 million doses of vaccine in July - Shuaib

Wed, Jun 16, 2021
By editor
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Sports

By Benprince Ezeh

THE Nigerian government is expecting a shipment of 3.92 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine by end of July or early August.

Faisal Shuaib, executive director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, NPHCDA, made this known on Tuesday, June 15, at a press conference in Abuja.

“We now have information that Nigeria will get 3.92m doses of Oxford-Astrazeneca by end of July or early August.

As we receive additional information on the exact dates in August, we will provide an update regarding timelines and details,” Shuaib said.

According to him, recent research from Public Health, England revealed that the Indian variant of the virus also known as the Delta variant B.1.617.2 is 92% susceptible to Oxford-AstraZeneca. “It is therefore comforting to know that the vaccine used in Nigeria can protect against this variant that caused high morbidity and mortality in India. However, it underscores the need for us to ramp up our vaccination to more Nigerians.”

“As you all are aware, hesitancy towards the second dose is very tied to the continued misinformation and disinformation about COVID-19 and the vaccination program globally and locally. This is especially prevalent on social media. While I commend the patriotism of a multitude of our social media influencers, I must say that I profoundly appreciate the contributions our professional media community has been making towards the progress of COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Nigeria.

“Nevertheless, the challenge is upon us to go beyond straight news and do more in educating Nigerians through interpretative stories, promotional exclusives, features and special broadcast programs on the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination. It is important to emphasize the need to be fully protected with the second dose, and the socio-economic and health risks of refusing to be vaccinated,” Shuaib said.

Shuaib pleaded with the media not to relent in bringing to bear on COVID-19. “We will not be tired of calling upon you, the media, as we are confident that you will not relent in bringing to bear on COVID-19, the sheer patriotism and professional prowess you demonstrated in our collective and successful fight against polio in Nigeria.

“Again, our goal is to do everything possible to educate, combat misinformation, and engender confidence in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, and to ensure all Nigerians have clear information on how, where, and when to get the vaccine,” he said.

– June 16, 2021 @ 08:24 GMT |

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