40,739 Trained For Phase 2 COVID-19 Vaccination, Says FG

…Flags Off Exercise In Abuja

No fewer than 40,739 state-level personnel comprising of health
workers and partners were trained and engaged by the Federal
Government for the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination in
Nigeria.

This was disclosed in Abuja, on Monday, during an event to
herald the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination, following the
success of the first phase of the vaccination that started in March
and ended in June/July in which over 4 million doses of the
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was administered to frontline health
workers and others.

Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development
Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, in his remarks, said the
flag-off was necessitated by the need to create more awareness on
what could be done differently to ensure a more successful
vaccination campaign.

He admitted that the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination was
a success, attributing it to the maximum support received from all
stakeholders including the media.

Dr. Faisal said that health workers displayed a high sense of
professionalism, dedication and resilience in the cause of the
vaccination, and they have continued to show same passion by
staying on course to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to eligible persons
despite the pressure of disinformation from within and outside the
country

He said: “We thank the Government of the United States for its
magnanimity in donating 4,000,080 doses of Moderna COVID-19
vaccine, which we received in-country on August 1st, 2021.

“This was followed, last week, with the arrival of 177,600 doses
of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine which is the first tranche of
the almost 40 million doses the Federal Government has procured
from the Africa-Export-Import (AFREXIM) Bank through the African
Union. The balance of the vaccine will be delivered over the coming
months.

“We sincerely appreciate the AFREXIM Bank President and his team
for working tirelessly to ensure that the African countries are not
short-changed in the access to the lifesaving COVID-19
vaccines.

“Because the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is a one-dose effective
vaccine, the 177,600 doses will be focused on those who live in the
hard-to-reach areas (riverine areas, desert areas, mountainous
areas and security-compromised areas) and the elderly. This is
because they are people who may find it difficult to leave their
homes to the health facility for second dose vaccination.

“We will also be receiving today 698,880 doses of the
AstraZeneca vaccine, a donation from the UK Government through the
COVAX facility. These doses will be targeted at those that are due
for their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“In the next couple of weeks, we will be expecting up to 3.9
million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines to complement what we
already have and to ensure that we cover not only those who will be
taking their second AstraZeneca vaccine but also for those who will
want to take their first dose of this vaccine.”

He reassured Nigerians that vaccines used in Nigeria are fully
certified by NAFDAC as safe and effective especially against the
Delta variant.

Meanwhile, the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi
Mulombo, in his remarks, appreciated the commitment of the Nigerian
government to the cause of COVID-19 vaccination.

He assured them that partners would continue to support the
country in reaching its targeted population with safe and effective
vaccines.

He maintained that vaccines are critical tools in the battle
against COVID-19, insisting that they are safe, effective, and will
be the game-changer. “But for the foreseeable future, we must
continue wearing masks, physically distance and avoid crowds.”

He reminded the gathering that most countries, including
Nigeria, are currently experiencing the third wave of COVID-19
outbreaks, urging everyone aged 18 years and above that is yet to
take the COVID-19 vaccine to get vaccinated and by so doing, help
to interrupt the community transmission of the disease.

…Flags Off Exercise In Abuja

No fewer than 40,739 state-level personnel comprising of health
workers and partners were trained and engaged by the Federal
Government for the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination in
Nigeria.

This was disclosed in Abuja, on Monday, during an event to
herald the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination, following the
success of the first phase of the vaccination that started in March
and ended in June/July in which over 4 million doses of the
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was administered to frontline health
workers and others.

Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development
Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, in his remarks, said the
flag-off was necessitated by the need to create more awareness on
what could be done differently to ensure a more successful
vaccination campaign.

He admitted that the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination was
a success, attributing it to the maximum support received from all
stakeholders including the media.

Dr. Faisal said that health workers displayed a high sense of
professionalism, dedication and resilience in the cause of the
vaccination, and they have continued to show same passion by
staying on course to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to eligible persons
despite the pressure of disinformation from within and outside the
country

He said: “We thank the Government of the United States for its
magnanimity in donating 4,000,080 doses of Moderna COVID-19
vaccine, which we received in-country on August 1st, 2021.

“This was followed, last week, with the arrival of 177,600 doses
of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine which is the first tranche of
the almost 40 million doses the Federal Government has procured
from the Africa-Export-Import (AFREXIM) Bank through the African
Union. The balance of the vaccine will be delivered over the coming
months.

“We sincerely appreciate the AFREXIM Bank President and his team
for working tirelessly to ensure that the African countries are not
short-changed in the access to the lifesaving COVID-19
vaccines.

“Because the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is a one-dose effective
vaccine, the 177,600 doses will be focused on those who live in the
hard-to-reach areas (riverine areas, desert areas, mountainous
areas and security-compromised areas) and the elderly. This is
because they are people who may find it difficult to leave their
homes to the health facility for second dose vaccination.

“We will also be receiving today 698,880 doses of the
AstraZeneca vaccine, a donation from the UK Government through the
COVAX facility. These doses will be targeted at those that are due
for their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“In the next couple of weeks, we will be expecting up to 3.9
million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines to complement what we
already have and to ensure that we cover not only those who will be
taking their second AstraZeneca vaccine but also for those who will
want to take their first dose of this vaccine.”

He reassured Nigerians that vaccines used in Nigeria are fully
certified by NAFDAC as safe and effective especially against the
Delta variant.

Meanwhile, the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi
Mulombo, in his remarks, appreciated the commitment of the Nigerian
government to the cause of COVID-19 vaccination.

He assured them that partners would continue to support the
country in reaching its targeted population with safe and effective
vaccines.

He maintained that vaccines are critical tools in the battle
against COVID-19, insisting that they are safe, effective, and will
be the game-changer. “But for the foreseeable future, we must
continue wearing masks, physically distance and avoid crowds.”

He reminded the gathering that most countries, including
Nigeria, are currently experiencing the third wave of COVID-19
outbreaks, urging everyone aged 18 years and above that is yet to
take the COVID-19 vaccine to get vaccinated and by so doing, help
to interrupt the community transmission of the disease.