Nigeria Launches COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign

The Nigerian government has launched a nationwide push to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates.

Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, who started the campaign in Abuja, stated that the program sought to reach at least 50% of the eligible target population by January 31, 2022.

“This follows the first and second vaccine campaigns, which targeted strategic leadership, frontline medical staff, and other eligible citizens.”

“As you may recall, the National Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic kicked off in early March 2020, shortly after the index case was identified. According to World Health Organization statistics, humanity enhanced the worldwide reaction to the development and deployment of vaccines to control a virus that had evolved into dangerous forms and caused over five million deaths.

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“As part of its duty and commitment to the welfare and safety of Nigerians, the Federal Government made no attempt to get vaccines that were strategically deployed to reduce the virus’s impact on all aspects of our national life.” He stated

He noted that, in addition to vaccinations supplied to the country, significant resources were dedicated to assuring citizens’ access to effective and safe immunizations.

“Despite these unprecedented levels of commitment and achievement in the first and second phases of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, I must inform Nigerians that we are still far from achieving the national target of vaccinating 70% of our eligible target population by 2022 in order to move Nigeria closer to herd immunity.”

Because the NPHCDA has expanded vaccination sites, measures have been made to eliminate any identified barriers to access through this MASS VACCINATION CAMPAIGN initiative. These locations include I public health facilities, (ii) private health facilities, (iii) mobile vaccination stations, and (iv) mass vaccination sites such as schools, markets, retail malls, recreation centers, motor parks, worship houses, and other high-traffic public areas.”

He also informed Nigerians that the National Primary Health Care Development Agency has taken severe measures to ensure that the process was not compromised anywhere along the value chain.

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“This immunization is free because the government recognizes its responsibility to protect our people’s health,” Mustapha remarked.

Similarly, the PSC Chairman reminded Federal Government Employees that the deadline for showing proof of vaccination or a PCR NEGATIVE TEST RESULT done 72 hours before being admitted into their offices remains December 1, 2021.