By Hassan Zaggi
The Federal Government on Tuesday took possession of 699,760 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine which was donated by the UK Government.
The vaccines would be administered as second dose to those who had earlier received only the first dose of the vaccine during the first phase of the vaccination roll out.
This is even as plans have been concluded to receive another 801,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from COVAX facility which is a donation from the Canadian government. It would be available for delivery by the end of August.
The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, disclosed this at the National Strategic Cold Store, in Abuja, on Tuesday.
He revealed that Nigeria was among the 11 African countries first to receive vaccines from the UK government.
According to him: “I am glad to inform you that last night, we received 699,760 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine donated by the UK Government.
“We are most grateful to the government and people of the UK for this gesture.
“This vaccine will be deployed immediately to the States and would be administered as second dose to those who had earlier received only the first dose of the vaccine during the first phase of the vaccination roll out.
“I therefore enjoin all those who have received AstraZeneca as first dose to visit the nearest vaccination site to receive the second dose to be assured of full protection.
“We have also received communications from the COVAX facility of an additional 801,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines. These doses are donation from the Canadian Government and would be available for delivery by the end of August.”
Speaking, the World Health Organization(WHO) Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo,
applauded the Federal Government for making efforts to make COVID-19 vaccines to all residents of the country.
“The contribution today of over 699,000 AstraZeneca vaccine, by the UK Government is really a big relief for us, knowing that we had a number of Nigerians who got their first shot, and were waiting for their second shot.
“It’s very important that those who are waiting for the second shot get to were they took their first dose immediately.
“Vaccination is an important component of this response. The more we get people vaccinated, the better for us all, the vaccines that have been received by Nigeria so far, were all endorsed by the WHO, as safe and effective.
“They will also prevent severe disease hospitalization and death. And this contribution from the UK Government is commendable. It gives an additional arm to fight against the COVID 19 pandemic,” he said.
Earlier, the Acting British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms Gill Atkinson, while presenting the vaccines, said that the vaccines were donated for the well-being of Nigerians.
According to her, the UK was one of the first countries to back COVAX with €548 million.
“We have consistently pushed for a global effort that help every country receive the vaccine against COVID-19.
“I am so pleased to see Nigeria receive 699,760 doses, donated by the UK, in their second batch of the vaccine through COVAX.
“This is the first trench of the 1,299,760 doses expected to be donated by the UK through COVAX.
“Only by vaccinating more people around the world we can we bring an end to the global pandemic,” she said.
