PTF: Two COVID Vaccines Developed In Nigeria Awaiting Trial, Certification

*Fed Govt gets 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca from MTN
*Over 3million vulnerable Nigerians need vaccination

Two Nigerian-made anti-COVID-19 vaccines are currently awaiting
clinical trials and eventual certification for use, the
Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 announced yesterday.

Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the
Federation SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha, who announced this during the
task force’s media briefing in Abuja, also announced the donation
of 300,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines to Nigeria by
telecommunications giant, MTN.

He described the discovery of the potential local vaccines as a
welcomed development, which would encourage more of such scientific
ventures in the country, and charged all agencies involved in
actualising the process to lend all required aids.

“The disclosure that Nigerian scientists have produced at least
two local COVID-19 vaccines, which are awaiting clinical trials and
certification is significant. This is a welcome development that
will open a new vista in scientific breakthrough and will boost the
morale and image of the medical industry in the country.

“I call on all relevant agencies to provide the required support
and enabling environment for smooth conduct of the remaining
protocols for the certification of these vaccines with a view to
encouraging and motivating other researchers,” he said.

On the donation of 300,000 doses of vaccines by MTN, Mustapha
said: “Yesterday, Sunday, 21st March, 2021, the PTF received
300,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines from MTN Nigeria.
This is acknowledged with thanks as we encourage other partners to
contribute towards the fight against COVID-19.”

He noted that one year ago, exactly 21 March, 2020, a total
lockdown was declared by the government in some parts of the
country due to Coronavirus pandemic that hit the nation.

“In the past one year, the socio-economic impact on us cannot be
underestimated. Many people lost their livelihood and many people
lost loved ones. May their souls find rest with their maker,” he
said.

He noted that daily numbers of COVID-19 infections had been
reducing, saying that on Sunday, March 21, Nigeria recorded the
lowest number of cases so far this year.

The PTF Chairman recalled that in the past few weeks, there were
discussions on the KLM and Emirates Airlines services in
Nigeria.

“Today, I will like to inform you that KLM has commenced full
operations in and out of Nigeria since 15 March, 2021 while
operations of the Emirates in and out of the country have been
suspended with exemption of cargo and humanitarian flights,” he
said.

But, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management
and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq yesterday claimed over three
million vulnerable Nigerians are in need of the COVID-19
vaccine.

The minister said it will be working with the National Primary
Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), based on available data
from National Social Register and other agencies to administer the
vaccines to the over three million people.

She described the vulnerable as including the elderly, Persons
Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), Internally Displaced Persons
(IDPs) and the vulnerable poor.

Farouq, who spoke yesterday at the weekly briefing by members of
the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, said a proper
sensitisation exercise will be conducted prior to administration of
the vaccine.

Overall, the Nigerian government said it aims to vaccinate
approximately 109 million people against the COVID-19 virus over a
period of two years.

*Fed Govt gets 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca from MTN
*Over 3million vulnerable Nigerians need vaccination

Two Nigerian-made anti-COVID-19 vaccines are currently awaiting
clinical trials and eventual certification for use, the
Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 announced yesterday.

Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the
Federation SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha, who announced this during the
task force’s media briefing in Abuja, also announced the donation
of 300,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines to Nigeria by
telecommunications giant, MTN.

He described the discovery of the potential local vaccines as a
welcomed development, which would encourage more of such scientific
ventures in the country, and charged all agencies involved in
actualising the process to lend all required aids.

“The disclosure that Nigerian scientists have produced at least
two local COVID-19 vaccines, which are awaiting clinical trials and
certification is significant. This is a welcome development that
will open a new vista in scientific breakthrough and will boost the
morale and image of the medical industry in the country.

“I call on all relevant agencies to provide the required support
and enabling environment for smooth conduct of the remaining
protocols for the certification of these vaccines with a view to
encouraging and motivating other researchers,” he said.

On the donation of 300,000 doses of vaccines by MTN, Mustapha
said: “Yesterday, Sunday, 21st March, 2021, the PTF received
300,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines from MTN Nigeria.
This is acknowledged with thanks as we encourage other partners to
contribute towards the fight against COVID-19.”

He noted that one year ago, exactly 21 March, 2020, a total
lockdown was declared by the government in some parts of the
country due to Coronavirus pandemic that hit the nation.

“In the past one year, the socio-economic impact on us cannot be
underestimated. Many people lost their livelihood and many people
lost loved ones. May their souls find rest with their maker,” he
said.

He noted that daily numbers of COVID-19 infections had been
reducing, saying that on Sunday, March 21, Nigeria recorded the
lowest number of cases so far this year.

The PTF Chairman recalled that in the past few weeks, there were
discussions on the KLM and Emirates Airlines services in
Nigeria.

“Today, I will like to inform you that KLM has commenced full
operations in and out of Nigeria since 15 March, 2021 while
operations of the Emirates in and out of the country have been
suspended with exemption of cargo and humanitarian flights,” he
said.

But, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management
and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq yesterday claimed over three
million vulnerable Nigerians are in need of the COVID-19
vaccine.

The minister said it will be working with the National Primary
Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), based on available data
from National Social Register and other agencies to administer the
vaccines to the over three million people.

She described the vulnerable as including the elderly, Persons
Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), Internally Displaced Persons
(IDPs) and the vulnerable poor.

Farouq, who spoke yesterday at the weekly briefing by members of
the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, said a proper
sensitisation exercise will be conducted prior to administration of
the vaccine.

Overall, the Nigerian government said it aims to vaccinate
approximately 109 million people against the COVID-19 virus over a
period of two years.