Why Kogi Has Not Received Vaccines — PTF

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has explained why
Kogi State is yet to receive vaccine.

It said it was due to the ongoing repairs of the cold store
facility in the state.

It further stated Kogi is the only state yet to receive the
vaccine as its cold store was vandalised during the #ENDSARS
protests last year.

The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National
Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib,
stated these in Abuja during the briefing of the PTF on
COVID-19.

He said: “Kogi state was not supplied with the vaccine because
their cold store is still under repairs following vandalization
during the ENDSARS protest.

“Similarly, all state Governors, apart from Kogi have launched
the vaccination program in their States.

“These launches also involve public vaccination of the Governor
and strategic leaders.

“No safety and efficacy standard has been compromised in the
decision of the government to introduce the Oxford-AstraZeneca
covid-19 vaccine.

“The vaccine was approved for emergency use listing by the World
Health Organization (WHO) and was tested and certified safe and
effective for use in Nigeria by NAFDAC.

“Our cold chain stores are very efficient to ensure that optimal
temperatures are maintained in the distribution of these vaccines
through the States and local government areas throughout the
country.

“It is important to note that none of the approved brands of
covid-19 vaccine is inferior.

“Understandably, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine cost relatively
less than the other available brands of covid-19 vaccines.

“However, this is not because it is inferior. It is because
AstraZeneca which partnered with Oxford to produce the vaccine
decided and announced that they will not be looking at profits
during this pandemic.

“So from the humanitarian point of view, they decided that they
will sell at their cost price. This is the reason for the
relatively low cost of the AstraZeneca vaccine. It is not because
it is interior in any way.”

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has explained why
Kogi State is yet to receive vaccine.

It said it was due to the ongoing repairs of the cold store
facility in the state.

It further stated Kogi is the only state yet to receive the
vaccine as its cold store was vandalised during the #ENDSARS
protests last year.

The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National
Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib,
stated these in Abuja during the briefing of the PTF on
COVID-19.

He said: “Kogi state was not supplied with the vaccine because
their cold store is still under repairs following vandalization
during the ENDSARS protest.

“Similarly, all state Governors, apart from Kogi have launched
the vaccination program in their States.

“These launches also involve public vaccination of the Governor
and strategic leaders.

“No safety and efficacy standard has been compromised in the
decision of the government to introduce the Oxford-AstraZeneca
covid-19 vaccine.

“The vaccine was approved for emergency use listing by the World
Health Organization (WHO) and was tested and certified safe and
effective for use in Nigeria by NAFDAC.

“Our cold chain stores are very efficient to ensure that optimal
temperatures are maintained in the distribution of these vaccines
through the States and local government areas throughout the
country.

“It is important to note that none of the approved brands of
covid-19 vaccine is inferior.

“Understandably, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine cost relatively
less than the other available brands of covid-19 vaccines.

“However, this is not because it is inferior. It is because
AstraZeneca which partnered with Oxford to produce the vaccine
decided and announced that they will not be looking at profits
during this pandemic.

“So from the humanitarian point of view, they decided that they
will sell at their cost price. This is the reason for the
relatively low cost of the AstraZeneca vaccine. It is not because
it is interior in any way.”