The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 has said that the second phase vaccination against the pandemic will formally commence on Tuesday in Abuja.
This is after the committee secured the approval of the National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
- COVID-19: Nigeria’s active cases surpass 9,000, as infections continue to surge
- British High Commissioner has not visited Nnamdi Kanu — Lawyer
- Kidnapped Chibok girl returns with husband, two children
Spokesman in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Mr. Willie Bassey, said this on Saturday in a statement.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, doubles as the chairman of the PSC.
“The PSC has received over four million doses of Moderna vaccine donated by the United States Government to Nigeria.
“In view of the above, the inoculation is scheduled from Tuesday, August 10, at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja,” the statement reads in parts.
The vaccines were donated by the United States Government to Nigeria and delivered through the COVAX facility on August 2, 2021.
The COVAX is a United Nations-backed effort that promises access to vaccines for up to 20 percent of participating countries’ populations.
President of the U.S., Mr. Joe Biden, had in May pledged to share 80 million vaccines with countries around the world to protect the most vulnerable; and Africa is expected to receive 25 million of the these 80 million.
Nigeria in March received four million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines, which led to the successful vaccination of 3,938,945 eligible persons across 36 states and FCT, representing 98 percent utilisation of the vaccines.
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is given in double doses, as a person is required to come back for a second jab, some weeks after taking the first shot in designated centres.
Just like AstraZeneca vaccine, two shots of the Moderna vaccines are administered through intramuscular injection about 28 days apart.
The Moderna vaccines is expected to be given to Nigerian adults and those below 18 years are excempted from taking the jabs.
