Nigerian govt begins second phase of COVID-19 vaccination

With soaring cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant across the country, the Federal Government on Monday commenced the administration of new vaccines.

This marked the start of the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

The flag-off ceremony was held at the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr Boss Mustapha said the country began the second phase, having received about four million doses of Moderna vaccines, donated by the U.S. government.

Mustapha who doubles as the chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) said the country also received another 177,600 doses of Johnson and Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines from African Union (AU).

“The arrival of the 4,000,080 doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine donated by the Government of the United States and the 177,600 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines out of the 29,850,000 doses the Federal Government has purchased through the Africa-Import-Export Bank and the African Union, is highly encouraging and motivating for us at the Presidential Steering Committee,” he said.

READ ALSO: Nigerian govt dispels reports of relying on donations for COVID-19 vaccinations

In his remarks, the Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, disclosed that the country would be receiving additional 698,880 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine today.

Shuaib disclosed that the vaccines donated by the UK government would be targeted at those due for their second dose of the vaccinated.

“In the next couple of weeks, we will be expecting up to 3.9 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines to complement what we already have.

“This will also ensure that we cover not only those who will be taking their 2nd dose but also for those who will want to take their first dose of this vaccine,” he said.

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