…EU donates 2m J&J vaccines to Nigeria
By Hassan Zaggi
The United Nation Children Funds (UNICEF), has called on donors across the world to invest in immunisation systems and primary healthcare structure for quick response to accelerate the prevention of vaccine-derived diseases.
The UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Peter Hawkins, made the call at the formal handing over ceremony of 2 million doses of John and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines donated to the government of Nigeria by the European Union (EU).
The 2 million doses of the J&J vaccine were received by the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, on behalf of the federal government in Abuja, Monday.
The UNICEF Chief, while applauding EU for the donation of the 2 million doses of the J&J vaccines said the “latest donation would help Nigeria to plan and manage the available vaccines effectively.”
He stressed that the two-year life span of the vaccines gives the federal government ample time to ensure that all the target population is reached.
Speaking, the leader of the EU Delegation who is also the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, said that the EU is so far the biggest donor of COVID-19 vaccines in the world.
She disclosed that the “donation brings us collectively closer to reaching the milestone of 500 million doses delivered by COVAX, with 300 million donated by Team Europe, an achievement which is worth celebrating today.
To date, Team Europe has mobilised at least EUR 38.5 billion, of which €8 billion for the African continent.
“The EU is now stepping up its effort to support Africa, where vaccination is lower than in other parts of the world. “This will be at the centre of the discussions among Africa and Europe’s leaders at the upcoming EU-AU Summit next week in Brussels.”
While calling for collaborative efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU Ambassador said: ”As we head into the third year since the Covid-19 outbreak, the pandemic is not yet defeated. We must continue to work together, help partner countries to speed up vaccinations and to develop the capacity to manufacture vaccines locally. Until then, we need to make sure that we all continue to respect safety precautions.”
On his part, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Walter Molumbo, called on Nigerians to make efforts to uptake the vaccines donated by the EU as they are safe and effective.
He, however, stressed on the need to continue to wear face masks, observe physical distance and avoid crowded places.
“As the only single-dose COVID-19 vaccine approved for use till date, the vaccines may be an important tool for accessing difficult terrains and population. These vaccines are safe and effective and will be the game-changer.
“Vaccines are a critical tool in the battle against COVID-19. These vaccines are safe and effective and will be the game – changer, but for the foreseeable future, we must continue wearing masks, physically distance and avoid crowds.
“We can end the acute phase of the pandemic this year, we can end COVID-19 as a global health emergency, and we can do it this year with observance of public health measures and increased vaccination coverage remain our best defense against another surge.
“WHO is constantly analysing data as we receive them and working closely with relevant government agencies to use the data to help inform, initiate, and implement response actions, as well new policies, and strategies at National, State and LGA levels,” Molumbo said.
Earlier, while taking delivery of the 2 million doses of the J&J vaccines, the Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, applauded the EU for donating the vaccines to Nigeria.
“On behalf of the Presidential steering committee chaired by the SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha and the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, I will like to thank the European Union once again,” Dr. Shuaib stressed.
He, however, assured that Nigeria remained committed “to a safe, equitable and effective COVID-19 vaccination program.
“Let me also mention that the availability of different vaccine brands does not in any way mean that some categories of people are selected for high quality vaccines while others are targeted for low quality vaccines.
“All COVID-19 vaccines approved by the WHO are safe and can deliver adequate protection against the disease. While choice of vaccine is left for eligible persons to make, it is important to note that no particular vaccine brand is preferable to the other.”
