NTLC reiterates commitment to support FG in fight against COVID-19

As part of efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, Northern Traditional Leaders Council (NTLC) says it will fully support government through sensitization in ensuring that eligible persons take the COVID-19 vaccine.

The chairman NTLC and Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera said this at the Fourth Quarter Meeting of the NTLC organised by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) in Abuja.

He also urged leaders at various levels to join hands in addressing all forms of rumours, mistrust and rejection of the COVID-19 Vaccine for an improved success story in the acceptance of the vaccine.

Alhaji Mera further said to combat vaccine hesitancy, the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID19 must borrow a leaf from past actions taken to address major public health concerns like the wild polio virus.

He said “As this year rolls to an end and a new year kicks to begin, I want to call on all of us to rededicate ourselves to work selflessly and with all the influence we can muster to ensure the interruption of the spread of Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus and mitigate against rumours, mistrust and rejection of the Covid Vaccine in the coming year.

“I want to call on the Presidential Committee on Covid to reflect on past efforts against major Public Health concerns and re-strategies to convert vaccine hesitancy, misuse and the spread of covid19 in Nigeria. With the establishment of a sister committee akin to NTLC in the South West by NPHCDA, i believe the whole nation and the Presidential Committee stands to benefit from the Influence the full engagement of Traditional and Religious Leaders can bring to bear on the campaign against Covid19 by these committees”.

Mera however commended health workers at the fore front in the fight against COVID-19, for their good work and urged them to protect the name of the country and uphold the trust and oath of their professions by ensuring that vaccines and vaccination certificates are honestly and credibly administered and issued as stated in the programmes.

Also, Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib said over 8 million eligible Nigerians have been vaccinated against COVID-19 signifying a noticeable improvement since the implementation of the mass vaccination campaign.

According to him, a lot of work still needs to be done in order to achieve herd immunity as the targeted number of eligible persons for the vaccination is 112 million.

Speaking on the booster vaccine, Dr Faisal said
“the booster dose is meant to strengthen immune response to COVID-19 infection. People who take booster dose have greater protection against COVID-19.

“To be eligible for the Pfizer Bio-N-Tech booster dose, you must be 18 years or above, and you must have received your second dose of AstraZeneca or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech at least 6 months ago. A time interval of 2 months or more is required for those who received Johnson & Johnson to qualify for a booster dose.

“For those who received the Moderna vaccine, a booster dose of Moderna is given 6months after the completion of their second dose. The administration of booster dose commenced throughout the country on 10th December 2021 and can be taken in any vaccination site free of charge.

“While we call on all eligible Nigerians to take advantage of this opportunity to get their booster doses, it is important to mention that booster dose has the approval of WHO and is already being safely administered to eligible persons in Europe and America” he added.

He urged persons issuing out vaccines cards to People who are yet to get the vaccine to desist from it as the Joint Task Force on vaccine monitoring and accountability is steadfast and are on alert to catch fraudsters.