…FG launches single dose vaccine, site finder
By Hassan Zaggi
The United Nation Children Fund (UNICEF) has, appealed to traditional and religious leaders in Nigeria to replicate the efforts they made in the fight against polio to ensure that COVID-19 vaccine is accepted by all Nigerians.
UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, made the appeal at the formal launch of the SCALES 2.0 Strategy, single shot of J&J vaccine and vaccination site finder in Abuja, Tuesday.
The SCALES 2.0 Strategy, entails the integration of COVID-19 vaccination with childhood routine immunization for eligible adults 18 years and above and children from 0-2 years respectively, leveraging mass vaccination campaigns, Routine Immunization fixed sessions, outreach services and mobile services.
The UNICEF Chief further called for efforts by all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria comes up stronger as a country that is able to ensure the full protection of its child population, maternal population as well as its adult population against COVID.
While applauding the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) for the launch of the SCALE 2.0 Strategy, Hawkins called for deliberate efforts to attain universal health through the improvement of the primary health to ensure the healthy future of Nigeria.
“I want to use this occasion of COVID-19 vaccine not only to accelerate the progress for Nigeria but also to ensure that Nigeria is able to build back stronger and better to protect its women and children for the future.
“We all stand here to help Nigeria be a safe and sound country, he said.
Speaking, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said that the SCALES is an acronym for Service delivery, Communication, Accountability, Logistics, Electronic reporting, and Supportive supervision for the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination.
While explaining the rationale behind the single dose J&J vaccine, the Minister said that: “Although the SCALES strategy has proven to be quite effective in ramping up COVID-19 vaccination coverage, the proportion of fully vaccinated Nigerians is still very low, partly because we have been using two-dose vaccines.
“Unfortunately, most people are reluctant to take their second dose for various reasons including fear of a repeat of the mild side effects they may have experienced with the first dose.”
With the launch of the SCALE 2.0 Strategy, the Minister said, “all childhood vaccination, including administration of vitamin A, will now be done alongside COVID-19 vaccination at COVID-19 vaccination sites.
“Eligible children will now be able to receive their BCG, Penta 3, OPV 3, OPV 1&2, Measles, Yellow Fever vaccines, as well as Vitamin A supplement, at the sites where the adults receive COVID-19 vaccines. This is the good news we are bringing to Nigerians today.”
On his part, the Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, said Nigeria currently vaccinates a little over 200,000 people per day with the COVIID-19 vaccine.
He noted that for Nigeria to meet its target of vaccinating 70 per cent of its eligible population before the end of this year, it needs to vaccinate 550, 000 people per day.
“Today, we are also launching the single shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine for everyone.
“We understand that one of the reason why there is a gap between our first and second doses is because people experience COVID-19 adverse effect following COVID-19 vaccination.
“Although these adverse effects are largely mild, we know that the opportunity to have that single shot not only in the hardest to reach areas but everybody having access to one single shot will definitely increase our coverage for COVID-19 vaccination.
“We will also be launching the COVID-19 site finder. This will again improve the ability of Nigerians to have access to COVID-19 vaccine. Wherever you are in Nigeria, if you are able to sign in into this website, you will be shown the nearest COVID-19 vaccination centre so you can make your way to this very centre.”
