Although Nigeria already ranks as one of the high performing countries in total covid-19 response which includes vaccine rollout, the federal government says it intends to do more as there is need to reach all eligible persons in good time.
According to the health Minister, the Presidential Steering Committee, the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) reviewed the vaccine delivery strategy and decided to start the next phase of National Vaccine Deployment Plan and set up mass vaccination sites.
He said: “Today is important as its a major step forward in our efforts to curb the spread of the covid-19 virus and gain the desired herd immunity as quickly as possible.
“We are pleased that Nigeria ranks among the high performing countries in total covid-19 response, including vaccine roll out; nevertheless, we cannot rest on our oars because, with our population of 214 million people we have more to do, within the same time frame, than smaller countries.
COVID-19 Vaccine
“It means we must speed up current vaccination rate across the whole country; we must work harder and faster than others, just to get the same result. It is critical that we reach all the eligible persons in good time.
“It is in the light of this that the Presidential Steering Committee, the Federal Ministry of Health, and National Primary Healthcare Development Agency reviewed the vaccine delivery strategy and decided to start the next phase of National Vaccine Deployment Plan and set up mass vaccination sites.”
Ehanire disclosed that according to situation report on Covid-19 vaccination that reached him, just 5,985,049 persons have been vaccinated with the 1st dose, with 3,336,866 of these receiving their second dose, as of 18th November 2021, out of a target population of 111,776,503.
He added that from the given figures, it is clear to see that the country has not reached where it ought to be with the pace of vaccination.
He explained that this has led to the conclusion to expand vaccination points all over the country.
“This simply means expanding vaccination points to all primary, secondary, and tertiary hospitals, engaging Company hospitals Staff Clinics, Private hospitals and, now, public spaces, like this ace, for fast access to vaccination for those who keep postponing.
“Our aim is to have vaccinated 55 million residents of Nigeria by the end of January, 2022, which is 50% of our target population. We have enough vaccines and assurance of flow of high quality vaccines from many sources to be certain that we can sustain the campaign to meet the deadline we have set for ourselves.
“The Ministry of Health plans to maintain that energy and strive for herd immunity, which we had calculated to be by vaccinating at least 70% of our eligible population; but our preference is to exceed that target, because lessons we learn from observing developments in other countries, is that we need to aim higher than 70%, to be more assured of protecting the health of most Nigerians.”
Ehanire reiterated the authenticity of all vaccines in the country. He noted that “No vaccine is allowed to any vaccination except authenticated and with safety verification. We do not compromise safety and standards.
“The Federal Government is committed to providing safe and efficacious Covid-19 vaccines and dispensing them backed with accountability and transparency. All vaccines are tagged and tracked by NAFDAC to ensure that quality and potency is maintained in the supply chain.”
The health minister advised all eligible persons to ensure they take the complete dose of the covid-19 vaccine as that is the only proven way to avert mass catastrophe that befell some countries before the wide availability of vaccines.
He also tasked all, especially persons with comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes and other chronic non communicable diseases, which predispose to serious illness if infected with SARS-COV-2 to keep to the Covid-19 prevention and control protocols which is regular hand wash, wearing of face mask, maintaining physical distance and avoidance of large gathering.
