Federal Government on Wednesday smashed and destroyed 1,066,214 doses of expired AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines at the Gosa dumpsite, about 2km from Idu Railway Station, Abuja.
CAPITAL POST which witnessed the exercise reports that the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency.
Addressing Journalists at the site, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib said the batches of the expired vaccines came with a short lifespan.
He said the destruction activity is in demonstration of government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the delivery of quality vaccines to Nigerians.
“This vaccines did not expire before we took the decision to withdraw them. Today is an opportunity for Nigerians to have further faith in our vaccination programme because we have lived up to the expectations of all Nigerians.
“This is to further demonstrate the high standard that we operate within Nigeria. The work that we do, is a work that requires trust, it’s a sacred trust that has been bestowed on us by the generality of Nigerians, we hold that trust to be true and we guard that trust very jealousy.
“A few months ago when these vaccines were offered to us, we knew that they have a short shelf life but we were living in an environment where the supply of COVID-19 vaccines were very scarce. They were not available due to vaccine nationalism. We had developed countries that procure these vaccines and hoarded them in their stores and at the point that they were about to expire, they were offered for donation.
“While we appreciate the donation from these countries, we have to acknowledge the fact that they were almost expired vaccines.
“Because we wanted to satisfy and protect Nigerians, we offered to accept these vaccines, worked collaboratively with NAFDAC to ensure that NAFDAC also tested and made sure the vaccines were in good condition and then be rolled out” the Executive Director explained.
Dr Faisal further commended frontline health workers for their sacrifices in ensuring that the vaccines were maximally utilized.
Also Speaking, the Director General of NAFDAC, Dr Mojisola Adeyeye said Nigeria have a unique immunisation programme.
“Many other countries, regulatory agencies have been told by WHO to copy what Nigeria is doing. Nigeria have one of the best vaccination immunisation programme in the world, UNICEF mentioned it last year.
“In terms of what we are witnessing today. It is a continuous unfolding of the fact that the best is for all Nigerians, because Nigerians deserve the best in terms of quality of medicines, vaccines. she added.
