Over 47 Million Nigerians Vaccinated against COVID-19 – NPHCDA
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) yesterday revealed that over 47 million eligible persons in Nigeria have so far received the COVID-19 vaccines.
Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, disclosed this while taking delivery of the 604,000 Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines donated by mobile telecommunication firm, MTN-Nigeria
The NPHCDA Boss who was represented at the event, Dr. Bassey Okposen, said as, “at 14th of September 2022, 47,172,937 eligible persons have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine representing 42.2 per cent of the eligible population.”
According to him, 34,242,083 persons have been fully vaccinated, representing 30.6 per cent of eligible persons, while 3,678,412 of the fully vaccinated persons have received their booster doses,
While commending MTN for their generous offer, Shuaib said the company has demonstrated its wish to see an end to COVID-19 in Nigeria.
“Without equivocation, 604,800 doses of J&J vaccine means a potential 604,800 fully vaccinated Nigerians. This is to say that MTN is wishing Nigeria the fast lane to COVID-19 recovery,” he said.
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Speaking at the ceremony, MTN Nigeria General Manager, Regional Operations, North, Hajia Amina Danbatta, said the company had in collaboration with African Union (AU) and the Vaccine Acquisition Test Scheme, pledged to distribute the Johnson & Johnson vaccines to Africa particularly Nigeria, where it operates, and have subscribers.
But she explained that as at 2021, the vaccines were not yet readily available for distribution.
According to her, “And we contacted the Ministry of Health in October 2021, to express our intentions in conjunction with the AU and partners to deliver at least 604, 000 Johnson & Johnson vaccines which is about $25 billion.
“And we got approval to deliver last year and here we are today to deliver these vaccines which we believe the Ministry of Health will distribute to those in need. Luckily we’ve had the vaccines coming into the country but this Johnson & Johnson will also be administered to citizens of Nigeria.”
She added that MTN, being a corporate social organisation had earlier started by educating Nigerians through messages on the six principles needed to be carried out to contain the pandemic.
Representative of the Country Director of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Walter Mulombo, said vaccines have so far proven to reduce the severity of the COVID-19 disease. He urged all stakeholders to join hands in mobilising Nigerians to come out and take the vaccines so as to stem the tide of infection.
