The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and other security agencies will monitor the transportation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria.
Four million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines is expected to arrive in the country on Tuesday from India.
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The Executive Director/CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, said this on Monday in Abuja at the joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.
The NPHCDA boss said that working with CACOVID, plans are on ground for a cargo plane provided by them to transport the vaccines to the states by air.
According to him, states without a functional airport will have their vaccines transported by road using vans with fitted Cold Cabins, from the nearest airport.
“The vaccines will be stored at the State Cold Stores, from where they will be transported by road to LGA Cold Stores. Once activities have commenced in the states, there would be strict monitoring by PTF, FMOH, NPHCDA and independent bodies such as EFCC, DSS, ICPC, and Civil Society Organizations.
“States/health facilities/health workers that are identified as defaulting from the standard protocol and guidelines for this phase of vaccination would be sanctioned,” Faisal said.
He added that while the first phase is ongoing, the National team would be ready for the arrival of the next batch of vaccines which would be used for the next phase of vaccination.
He said that the Phase 2 vaccination process involves vaccination of the elderly from 50 years and above and that this has been sub-grouped into two, with the vaccination of 60 and above occurring first followed by 50–59 years.
He said, “This will occur across all 36 States and the FCT. Those who are eligible for vaccination that have not registered electronically, would be assisted at the designated health facility and would be vaccinated.
“The phase 3 vaccination process involves vaccination of those between 18–49years with co-morbidities (such as hypertension, diabetes, lung disease, other heart disease, liver or renal disease, etc). Individuals at ages 50 and above with co-morbidities would already have been Immunized within their age group.
“The phase 4 vaccination process would involve vaccination of the rest of the eligible population between the ages 18–49years. It is worthy to note that at each phase of vaccination, the level of preparedness of the states are assessed before vaccines are deployed and accountability measures have been put in place to ensure strict compliance to the vaccination process.
“Pregnant women will be evaluated by their health providers to weigh the benefit versus risk, before a decision is taken to vaccinate them.”
Shuaib added that earlier on Monday, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire launched the indigenous T.E.A.C.H strategy for COVID-19 vaccination and Electronic Management of Immunization Data system.
He said that this is to ensure safe and effective vaccination of prioritized and eligible Nigerians against COVID-19.
He said, “Following the launching, through a unique link available on NPHCDA website, twitter handle, Facebook and Instagram, we have commenced electronic self-registration of health workers. This will enable us to avoid crowding at vaccination posts as the registered health workers will be scheduled and reminded of their vaccination date via sms and email.
“We urge all eligible Nigerians aged 18 years and above to be patient as we will eventually vaccinate them. As the vaccines arrive in batches due to limited supply we will inform Nigerians about who and where to receive the vaccine.
“A comprehensive and transparent roll-out plan that involves public vaccination of President Muhammadu Buhari and other important dignitaries and stakeholders has been developed. Again, this is to assure Nigerians on the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines that we are bringing into the country.”
