By Salim Yunusa
Nigeria has received 3.92 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine through the COVAX initiative out of an expected 16 million doses.
The shipment of vaccines arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly before noon on an Emirates airline flight
The vaccine is expected to be administered first to frontline health workers & strategic leadership, followed by people within the age group of 50 & above 60 & above, then 50-59 – with priority of course for people with co-morbidities, then the age group of 18-49 with co-morbidities And finally, the rest of eligible population i.e. 18-49 without co-morbidities.
The agency said that the country plans to vaccinate at least 70 per cent of Nigerians aged 18 and above in four phases over the next two years, beginning with priority groups and frontline healthcare workers.
While waiting for the delivery, the ED of NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, said “The arrival of this vaccine is the result of the commitment of the FGN, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, the support of the PTF on COVID-19 and the guidance of the Hon. Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire”, said Dr. Faisal Shuaib.
The agency in charge of distributing the vaccine, The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), on Monday launched the e-registration website to enable eligible Nigerians to register for the vaccine online.
