NIGERIA: The first batch of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer is expected by Nigeria by the end of January or early February, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has disclosed.
100,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines are expected in the country.
The Director of Disease Control and Immunization at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Bassey Okposen made this disclosure during a virtual sensitization meeting with media gatekeepers on COVID-19 vaccine introduction on Friday.
He said that the vaccines would be given to 50,000 people adding that front line workers which include the health workers, Police, Immigration workers, the elderly and those with comorbidity situation.
Bassey stated that 40 per cent of Nigerians would be immunized in 2021 and 30 per cent would be immunized in 2022 adding that 70 owe cent of Nigerians is targeted to be immunized in two years.
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How the Doses Would be Taken
According to the Director of Disease Control and Immunization, two doses would be given to each person who would take the vaccine.
He said that the second dose would be given 21 days after the first dose adding that the government is talking to other countries regarding procuring more vaccines.
Safety of the COVID-19 Vaccines
Bassey allayed the fears of the people regarding the COVID-19 vaccines saying that the government would ensure the vaccines are safe to be administered to the people.
“The vaccines are safe. There have been concerns from a lot of quarter regarding the safety of the vaccine but we are assuring everyone that the vaccines are safe and effective.
“The vaccines have already undergone the WHO pre-qualification and when it arrives, there would be NAFDAC certification before they are administered to the people.”
Training and Sensitization
The Director further said that health workers would be trained on how to administer the vaccines and on monitoring those who would receive the vaccine.
He said that massive sensitization is ongoing to various bodies across the body to clear the air in raising issues concerning the vaccines and clear up any misinformation
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