Nigeria has received a donation of 501,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from the France government through the covax facility.
The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib received the vaccines on behalf of the country at the National Strategic Cold Store on Friday in Abuja.
Dr Shuaib while commending the French government for the gesture noted that Nigeria is the first African country to receive vaccines from them.
According to the ED, this is a demonstration of France’s confidence in Nigeria’s capability as an active and progressive partner in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
He reassured that the vaccine facilities are well maintained and efficient to store the vaccines.
In his words “Nigeria’s vaccine storage facilities have remained efficient and well maintained. No standards are compromised in logistics requirements for effective management and utilization of all COVID-19 vaccines available in Nigeria.
“The Federal Government has in place the necessary measures to ensure monitoring and accountability of the vaccines.
“We track utilization of all COVID-19 vaccines in all states of the Federation and receive daily report from our Senior Supervisors and State Immunization officers who are on the field to monitor the management and administration of the vaccines.
“Let me reiterate the fact that the Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to safe, equitable and effective COVID-19 vaccination of all eligible persons in the country” he added.
French Ambassador Nigeria, Jerome Pasquier noted that vaccination is essential to completely rid the country of the awful disease.
Ambassador Jerome having completed his assignment in Nigeria, commended the country for their efforts in the procurement of vaccines and urged Nigerians who are yet to take the vaccines to do so.
